Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-negative patients with systemic connective tissue diseases

AbstractBackground:Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a rare condition in non-HIV patients. The clinical manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are often confused with immunological activity, resulting in delayed diagnosis.Aims:We describe the natural history and outcome of eight HIV-negative patients with SLE and confirmed CM.Results:Mean age at the time of infection was 30·2 years (20–42). Mean dose of prednisone was 38·3 ± 13 mg/day and of azathioprine was 95 ± 37 mg/day. The most common clinical manifestation was headache with nausea or vomit (75%), followed by altered sensorium (50%), fever (50%), cranial nerve deficits (37%), or seizures (25%). Mean time between symptoms onset and diagnosis was 19 days (6–56). All patients had low lymphocyte cell counts (504 ± 229 cells/μl) and low CD4+ cell counts (113·2 ± 59·2 cells/μl). Active SLE assessed by a systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score ≧4 was found in 83% patients at the time of the diagnosis and ...