A Case of Cryptococcal Meningitis Developed after Short-term Therapy of Steroid in a Patient with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia / 대한혈액학회지

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus neoformans commonly causes opportunistic infection in other immunocompromised patients as well as in AIDS. Among cryptococcosis, cryptococcal meningitis is a relatively frequent manifestation and causes serious morbidity and mortality. It needs urgent diagnosis and effective antifungal therapy. We experienced cryptococcal meningitis in a 25-year-old female patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She was admitted because of autoimmune hemolytic crisis. Her anemic symptoms were controlled by steroid and red cell transfusions. However, she was suddenly readmitted with decreased mentality. Seven days later, she was diagnosed as cryptococcal meningitis and cryptococcemia resulting from culture studies of CSF and blood. Since treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine and maintained with prudent fluconazole therapy, her symptoms and general conditions were improved. We report an unusual case of cryptococcal meningitis developed in a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in spite of short-term steroid therapy.