Seizure in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied the prevalence of seizure in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The records of non-HIV adult patients (age >15 years) diagnosed as cryptococcal meningitis in Srinagarind Hospital (Khon Kaen University) from 1990 to 1994 were reviewed All subjects were studied for the rate, pattern, and long-term result ofseizure. RESULTS: There were 105 cases. Eight patients (7.6%) had seizures at initial presentation. The pattern of seizure of six patients was generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTC) and the others were focal seizure. Only one case still had seizures after treatment with conventional therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. At ten years follow up, ten cases had died, one patient still had seizures (the same case that had seizures after treatment) and one case with developed GTC after improvement of meningitis. CONCLUSION: GTC was the common pattern of seizure in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis and mostly controlled by standard regimen of therapy for cryptococcal meningitis without any antiepileptic drugs.