Cryptococcosis in the West Indies

ABSTRACT

Crptococcosis with meningitis is reported in seven patients, six from Jamaica and one from Belize. All seven had headache, six had fever and five had confusion/coma. Despite biochemical findings of meningitis in the cerebrospinal fluid of five patients, Cryptococcosis was diagnosed antemortem in only three. Two patients treated with oral flucytosine survived. Awareness that Cryptococcosis occurs in the West Indies may assist in early diagnosis which is crucial to successful treatment (AU)