Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “MENINGES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Intramuscular ceftriaxone in the treatment of childhood meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type F.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type f (Hif) in a child. CASE SUMMARY: A 2.5-year-old white girl (18 kg) was hospitalized because of acute ataxia. The cerebrospinal fluid culture grew H. influenzae, which was later identified as type f. Therapy was limited by the inability to gain intravenous access. Treatment was initiated with dexamethasone 8 mg (0.44 mg/kg) intramuscularly, one dose on the day prior to initiation of ceftriaxone therapy, and intramuscular ceftriaxone 2 g (111 mg/kg/dose) once a day. After the first day, dexamethasone was administered at 3 mg (0.17 mg/kg/d) orally four times per day for four days. Within two days, the patient became afebrile and improved significantly. The remaining treatments were given during daily hospital visits on an outpatient basis. No complications occurred during the follow-up visits. DISCUSSION: The clinical presentation and therapeutic management of Hif meningitis is similar to that of H. influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis. Factors that may predispose a child to infections caused by Hif include upper respiratory tract infections, day care attendance, Down syndrome, and immunodeficiency. Hif meningitis usually is treated with a third-generation cephalosporin (frequently ceftriaxone). Although most often administered intravenously, intramuscular ceftriaxone can provide a satisfactory clinical outcome in a child with adequate peripheral perfusion but limited intravenous access. The majority of reported cases of Hif meningitis resolve with appropriate antibiotic therapy; however, long-term neurologic sequelae occasionally occur. CONCLUSIONS: Hif occasionally causes pediatric meningitis. In a patient with good perfusion and difficult intravenous access, daily intramuscular administration of ceftriaxone can be an effective treatment option. In this case, Hif meningitis occurred abruptly and resolved within 48 hours of initiation of ceftriaxone and dexamethasone without long-term sequelae. The risks of giving dexamethasone appear to be minimal, although efficacy for preventing Hif complications remains to be proven.

Ceftriaxone↗
PubMed2003

Possible valacyclovir-related neurotoxicity and aseptic meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of neurotoxicity and aseptic meningitis in a patient receiving valacyclovir. CASE SUMMARY: An 86-year-old white man had started valacyclovir 1 g 3 times a day for a herpetic rash along the left side of his face. He subsequently presented with balance difficulties, constant frontal headaches, and a seizure 1 day prior to admission. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed 162 white cells/mm(3), 1 red blood cell/mm(3), glucose 56 mg/dL, and protein 144 mg/dL, with a negative Gram stain. Further laboratory examination failed to demonstrate other causes for the patient's clinical picture. After discontinuation of valacyclovir and supportive care, the patient symptomatically improved. DISCUSSION: As of the third week of September 2003, only 1 other case of valacyclovir-related aseptic meningitis was published describing a patient with characteristics similar to those of our patient. Our patient's neurologic symptoms may have been due to acyclovir toxicity, but acyclovir-toxic patients present with normal CSF findings. Several drug classes, including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and intravenous immunoglobulins, can induce aseptic meningitis. Other reasons for the patient's symptoms or causes of meningitis were excluded, although viral meningitis remains a possibility. Valacyclovir-induced aseptic meningitis was considered to be possible according to the Naranjo probability scale. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers should be aware of valacyclovir as a possible cause of drug-induced aseptic meningitis.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2003

The management of bacterial meningitis in children.

Bacterial meningitis is still a major cause of death and disability in children worldwide. With the advent of conjugate vaccines against the three major pathogens, the burden of disease is increasingly concentrated in developing countries that cannot afford the vaccines. Antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem; in developed countries, high-level resistance to beta-lactams among Streptococcus pneumoniae necessitates the addition of vancomycin to third-generation cephalosporins. In many developing countries, the problems are more fundamental. Increasing resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and chloramphenicol and of Haemophilus influenzae to chloramphenicol means that many children with bacterial meningitis receive ineffective treatments, as third-generation cephalosporins are often unavailable or unaffordable. Case fatality rates are as high as 50% and neurological sequelae occur in one-third of survivors. The use of corticosteroids in meningitis is controversial; the evidence that they protect against neurological complications of childhood meningitis (particularly severe hearing loss) is strongest when: meningitis is caused by H. influenzae type b; dexamethasone is given before the first dose of antibiotics; a bactericidal antibiotic such as a third-generation cephalosporin is used; and in the early stages of the infection. There are few controlled clinical trials on which to base recommendations about other adjuvant therapy for meningitis. Avoidance of secondary brain injury from hypoxia, hypotension, hypo-osmolarity and cerebral oedema, hypoglycaemia or convulsions is essential for a good outcome. The problem of bacterial meningitis will only be solved if protein-conjugate vaccines (or other effective vaccine strategies) against S. pneumonia, H. influenzae and epidemic strains of Neisseria meningitidis are available to all the world's children. Making third-generation cephalosporins affordable in the developing world is also a necessary intervention, but better antibiotics will not overcome the problems of poor access to hospitals and late presentation with established brain injury, and will inevitably bring further pressure for antimicrobial resistance.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2005

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 in the cerebrospinal fluid of newborn with meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the usefulness of determining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) for the early diagnosis and evaluation of the prognosis of neonatal meningitis. METHOD: We studied 54 newborn that underwent lumbar puncture. Thirty patients had meningitis and 24 were the control group. CSF and sera were obtained at the moment of suspicion of meningitis and stored at -70 degrees C. Cytokines were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: CSF cytokines were detected in all the newborn with meningitis. TNF-alpha was detected in the CSF in 63.3% of the neonates, IL-1beta in 73.3% and IL-6 in 96.6%. The CSF levels were significantly higher than serum in neonates with meningitis. There was no correlation between the CSF levels of cytokines and neurologic complications. CONCLUSION: The detection of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in the CSF is of great value in order to achieve a early diagnosis of neonatal meningitis. Among the three cytokines analyzed, IL-6 was the best indicator of meningeal inflammation.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2005

[Neonatal meningitis: related features].

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to identify and to analyze the features related to the occurrence of neonatal meningitis. METHOD: In a case-control study we examined all newborns presenting meningitis between August/2002 and December/2003 in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Healthy newborns were enrolled as a Control Group (CG). Data related to pregnancy, labor and the neonate itself were collected. The results with p<0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: 42 newborns with meningitis were compared to 42 controls. The meningitis group (MG) presented a lower number of medical visits during the prenatal care. The most common abnormalities detected in both groups were: drug addiction, congenital infections, preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and urinary tract infections. Fetal respiratory distress and the use of respiratory support were related to the occurrence of meningitis. The average weight and the APGAR scores were lower in the MG. The prevalence of premature and small for the gestational age infants was significantly higher in the MG. The neurological examination detected abnormalities in 35.7% of the meningitis cases. CONCLUSION: The association of risk factors related to pregnancy, labor and the newborn itself to the neonatal meningitis outcome in our setting is similar to the described in the literature.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2001

Epidemiology of bacterial meningitis among children in Brazil, 1997-1998.

OBJECTIVE: To document the incidence and the descriptive epidemiology of bacterial meningitis among individuals under age 20 in a geographically defined region in Brazil during the two-year period immediately preceding the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines into the national immunization program of Brazil. METHODS: Population-based epidemiological study of all cases of bacterial meningitis reported among residents of Campinas, Brazil, under age 20 (n=316,570) during the period of 1997-98, using comprehensive surveillance records compiled by the Campinas Health Department from cases reported among hospital inpatients, outpatients, emergency room visits, death certificates, and autopsy reports. RESULTS: The incidence of bacterial meningitis (n=274) was 334.9, 115 and 43.5 cases/10(5) person-years (pys) for residents of Campinas under age 1, 5 and 20, respectively. All cases were hospitalized, with an average length of stay of 12 days. Documented prior antibiotic use was 4.0%. The case-fatality rate of bacterial meningitis in individuals under age 20 was 9% (24/274) with 75% of deaths occurring in children under the age of five. The incidence of Hib meningitis (n=26) was 62.8 and 17 cases/10(5) pys in children age <1 and <5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of Hib meningitis in children under the age of 5 in Campinas during 1997-98 was similar to that reported in the US, Western Europe, and Israel prior to widespread Hib vaccine use in those regions. This study provides a baseline for later studies to evaluate changes in the etiology and incidence of bacterial meningitis in children after introduction of routine Hib vaccination in Brazil.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Clinical and laboratory features of aseptic meningitis associated with measles-mumps-rubella vaccine].

OBJECTIVE: To describe epidemiological, clinical, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in cases of aseptic meningitis associated with measles-mumps-rubella vaccination following a mass immunization campaign in the Brazilian state of Bahia in August 1997 promoted by the country's Ministry of Health, and to compare these cases to the cases of aseptic meningitis not associated with the vaccine that occurred in the same year. METHODS: Between March 1997 and October 1997, all individuals between 1 and 12 years of age admitted to the Couto Maia Hospital (the Bahia reference hospital for infectious illnesses) with a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of aseptic meningitis were prospectively followed. The study population was divided into two groups: one with individuals who had received the vaccine, and one with individuals who had not received the vaccine. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory information was collected on both groups. RESULTS: In September, following the vaccination campaign, 74 cases of aseptic meningitis were registered at the Couto Maia Hospital, versus the monthly average of 7.5 cases. We observed a greater frequency of nuchal rigidity and increased CSF cellularity among children whose meningitis was associated with the vaccine. However, encephalitic involvement was more frequent in the group of children with non-vaccinal meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: Although the course of post-vaccinal meningitis is more benign than that of other forms of the disease, its treatment generates costs related to ancillary exams and hospitalizations. Mass vaccination campaigns should employ less reactogenic vaccine strains.

Child↗
PubMed2005

Meningitis due to Enterobacter aerogenes subsequent to resection of an acoustic neuroma and abdominal fat graft to the mastoid.

Meningitis is an uncommon complication of neurosurgical procedures, with an incidence of 1.1% to 2.5%. Although unusual, the frequency of nosocomial Gram-negative meningitis appears to be increasing. Gram-negative meningitis has been documented following disruption of the dura-arachnoid barrier secondary to trauma or surgery. The association of Gram-negative bacillary meningitis with neurosurgical procedures was first reported in the 1940's. Wolff et al. described the association between Enterobacter species and post-neurosurgical infection. More recently, risk factors for nosocomial Enterobacter meningitis have been characterized by Parodi et al. Adipose graft, as an independent risk factor has not yet been reported. A patient with acoustic neuroma resection, who developed bacterial meningitis from an abdominal fat pad graft to a mastoidectomy bed is described. A brief overview was made of post-neurosurgical Gram-negative meningitis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1995

Bacterial meningitis. Practical guidelines for management.

The therapy of bacterial meningitis has evolved over the past century. Initially, antimeningococcal antiserum was used to treat patients with meningococcal meningitis. During the 1930s, sulphonamides were the first antibiotics used in the treatment of bacterial meningitis. The use of other antibiotics followed in later decades. Insights into the pathophysiology of meningitis have led to the use of prophylaxis against infection, as well as adjunctive therapy aimed at attenuating the harmful sequelae, should infection occur. This article outlines the basic principles important in the selection of appropriate antimicrobials. the emergence of resistant organisms, specifically Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, has necessitated changes in previously effective antimicrobial regimens. The availability of third generation cephalosporins has increased the survival rate for meningitis caused by Gram-negative bacilli. Research into the use of adjunctive steroids has led to the recommendation that these agents be used in the paediatric population, which traditionally has had a high prevalence of H. influenzae meningitis. The high efficacy of H. influenzae type b conjugate vaccine and the observation that steroids, by decreasing inflammation, also decrease CNS penetration of some drugs, has led to reconsideration of routine steroid use. Effective chemoprophylactic regimens for contacts of patients with either H. influenzae or Neisseria meningitidis can diminish the spread of infection. Vaccination for both immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients protects against disease caused by some of the more common meningeal pathogens.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2006

Dexamethasone in adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis in adults is a severe disease with high fatality and morbidity rates. Experimental studies have shown that the inflammatory response in the subarachnoid space is associated with an unfavourable outcome. In these experiments, corticosteroids, and in particular dexamethasone, were able to reduce the inflammatory cascades in the subarachnoid space. The use of corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy in adults with bacterial meningitis has been evaluated in six studies, performed over a time period of 40 years. Most studies on adjunctive dexamethasone therapy in adults with bacterial meningitis were limited by methodological flaws. In 2002, a study with sufficient statistical power to show significant differences was published. This European Dexamethasone Study showed that adjunctive dexamethasone therapy reduced the rate of unfavourable outcomes in adults with bacterial meningitis from 25% to 15%. In this study, adjunctive treatment with dexamethasone was given before or with the first dose of antibacterials, without serious adverse effects. A quantitative review showed a consistent beneficial effect of dexamethasone on mortality and a borderline statistical beneficial effect on neurological sequelae. On the basis of the available evidence, adjunctive dexamethasone therapy should be initiated before or with the first dose of antibacterials and continued for 4 days in all adults with suspected or proven bacterial meningitis, regardless of bacterial aetiology. In patients with both meningitis and septic shock, dexamethasone therapy cannot be unequivocally recommended, but the use of lower doses seems reasonable at present. Since prompt use of dexamethasone and appropriate antibacterials improves the prognosis of adults with bacterial meningitis, hospitals will require protocols to include dexamethasone with the initial antibacterial therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis: prognostic factors.

All 42 cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis diagnosed between 1981 and 1991 were evaluated. These accounted for 13% of patients with blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture-proven bacterial meningitis. There was an increased incidence of K. pneumoniae meningitis from the first 6 years of study (7%) to the last 5 years (16%). K. pneumoniae became increasingly important not only in community-acquired meningitis but also in nosocomial meningitis. 12/13 nosocomial cases were patients who had undergone neurosurgical procedures. The overall mortality rate was 43%. The mortality rate in patients with spontaneous meningitis was higher than that in patients with post-traumatic or postoperative meningitis. Factors that adversely affected mortality were age over 60, diabetes mellitus, and severe neurological deficits on admission. The use of third-generation cephalosporins did not reduce the mortality rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The causative organisms of bacterial meningitis in Korean children, 1986-1995.

Bacterial meningitis remains a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Epidemiologic investigations have shown variability in disease risks among different populations and races. In Korea, however, basic epidemiologic information on bacterial meningitis in children is limited. The main purpose of this study was to analyze bacteriologically proven meningitis cases in terms of the relative frequency of causative organisms, mortality rate, and age distribution beyond the neonatal period. Data was obtained from the hospital records who had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis at 13 general or university hospitals from 1986 through 1995. The patients had at least one positive CSF culture for bacteria. Of 140 cases of CSF culture-proven bacterial meningitis, 46.4% was < or =1 year, 62.1% was < or =2 years, 81.4% was < or =5 years cumulatively. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common bacteria responsible for 48 (35.0%) of all cases regardless of age, followed by Haemophilus influenzae for 48 (34.3%) and Neisseria meningitidis for 8 (6.4%) patients. The case fatality rate was 20.0%, 17.1%, and 16.7% for N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae, respectively. In conclusion, the most common organisms of culture-proven bacterial meningitis in the last 10 years have been S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis in order of frequency. Further study should be extended to nation-wide epidemiologic evaluation to show the incidence of bacterial meningitis caused by these three important organisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Effects of hypertonic (7%) saline on brain injury in experimental Escherichia coli meningitis.

We sought to know whether hypertonic (7%) saline (HTS) attenuates brain injury by improving cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and down-modulating acute inflammatory responses in experimental bacterial meningitis in the newborn piglet. Twenty-five newborn piglets were assorted into three groups: 6 in the control group (C), 10 in the meningitis group (M), and 9 in the meningitis with HTS infusion group (H). Meningitis was induced by intracisternal injection of 10(8) colony forming units of Escherichia coli in 100 microL of saline. 10 mL/kg of HTS was given intravenously as a bolus 6 hr after induction of meningitis, thereafter the infusion rate was adjusted to maintain the serum sodium level between 150 and 160 mEq/L. HTS significantly attenuated meningitis-induced brain cell membrane disintegration and dysfunction, as indicated by increased lipid peroxidation products and decreased Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex in M. HTS significantly attenuated acute inflammatory markers such as increased intracranial pressure, elevated lactate level and pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid observed in M. Reduced CPP observed in M was also significantly improved with HTS infusion. These findings implicate some attenuation of the meningitis-induced alterations in cerebral cortical cell membrane structure and function with HTS, possibly by improving CPP and attenuating acute inflammatory responses.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Protective effects of cisternal irrigation on leptomeningeal and cortical structures in meningitis: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Meningitis, termed as foreign material collection in the subarachnoid space, leads to various meningeal, cerebral and spinal cord pathologies. Meningitis still remains a problematic disease with severe complications in spite of advanced medical technology. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of cisternal irrigation in the prevention of meningitis complications. SETTING AND STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study was done in the Social Security Hospital of Erzurum. Histopathological specimens were evaluated in the Pathology Department in the Ataturk University Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on twelve lambs. Experimental meningitis was achieved with streptococcus pneumonia. Two animals were not treated. Ten animals were given Cefotaxime (4 x 1g/day) for 20 days, and additionally half of these animals underwent cisternal irrigation. Then, all animals were sacrificed and brains were observed histopathologically. RESULTS: Massive purulent CSF formation, hemorrhagic cortical lesions, vascular congestion, leptomeningeal and cortical adhesions and brain edema were observed in the non-irrigated group, but these findings were observed slightly or absent in the irrigated group. CONCLUSION: Meningitis can affect all central neural tissues, consequently serious central nervous system lesions may develop. The irrigation procedure may decrease the percentage and severity of meningitis complications by way of the excretion of inflamed purulent collection from the subarachnoid spaces.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Meningitis in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus infection].

BACKGROUND: Neurological complications are frequently observed in HIV-1 patients. Lumbar puncture (LP) and LSF analysis are two key diagnostic procedures. AIM: To describe the etiology meningeal syndromes in a hospital series of HIV patients. RESULTS: In this study, we present the different meningeal complications from 198 HIV-1 patients referred, for the last five years, to the HIV Center of the Hospital of University of Chile. The diagnosis of HIV-1 was done clinically plus a positive ELISA test, and confirmed by Western blot and/or PCR. In all cases with a possible neurological complication (52/198), a LP was performed. Cytochemical and microbiological studies, were done in each CSF sample. Serum CD4/CD8 lymphocytes number were determined by flow cytometry, and brain CT scan and/or MRI were obtained. From the 52 patients in whom a LP was done, 24 showed an abnormal CSF, compatible with the diagnosis of meningitis. The most frequent etiology (11/24) was infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, followed by Treponema pallidum (7/24). There were 3 cases of HIV-1 meningitis, and 3 other cases with lymphoma, varicella zoster and cytomegalovirus meningitis. The frequency of cryptococcal infection was similar to that reported in the literature, but two interesting observations were the high frequency of neurosyphilis and the absence of TBC meningitis. In our country, the VDRL/FTA-ABS serum tests are mandatory in HIV patients. If these tests were positive a LP was performed, and this could partially explain the high number of cases coinfected with neurosyphilis. There is an important prevalence of lung TBC in our country, and as a consequence there is a policy of immunization to all newborn. It is possible that the high prevalence of TBC "promotes" a more actively search for TBC infection, with an early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary TBC, and so a more frequent prophylaxis therapy in HIV patients, without the development of TBC meningitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Glioblastoma fed by meningeal branches of the external carotid artery: a case report].

A rare case of glioblastoma fed by meningeal branches of the external carotid artery was reported. A 63-year-old female was transferred to our hospital suffering from gait disturbance and dysarthria. CT and MRI revealed brain tumor and paratumoral hemorrhage with a large cyst that was heterogeneously enhanced and existed in the right fronto-temporal region. Right external carotid arteriography demonstrated the tumor stain markedly fed by the right middle meningeal artery and the accessory meningeal artery. Subtotal removal operation was carried out uneventfully using the right fronto-temporal craniotomy. The histological diagnosis was glioblastoma. After the operation the patient was in good condition, and was transferred to another hospital for the purpose of the synchronized chemoradiotherapy. It is well known that any glioma invades the meninges. However, we rarely encountered an intra-axial glioma fed by a meningeal blood supply. A meningeal-invaded glioma may make difficult its differentiation from meningioma. We concluded that there is necessity for close examination of the intra-axial brain tumors invaded and fed by meningeal blood supply.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Congenital fistula of the stapedial footplate as an avenue for recurrent purulent meningitis].

INTRODUCTION: Congenital fistula of the stapedial footplate is a rare cause of recurrent purulent meningitis and a diagnostic and therapeutic problem as well. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a stapedial fistula diagnosed intraoperatively in a 4-year-old boy, after recurrent meningitis. The boy was hospitalized at the Pediatric Clinic three times in a 6-month period because of recurrent meningitis. The applied anti-meningitis therapy presented with good general state of the child, but the main target was to discover the cause of recurrent meningitis. Immunologic and genetic investigations were performed. Otorhinolaryngologic findings nearly normal, except minimal asymmetry in the otoscopic finding. Eardrum was reddish with all other characteristics of a normal drum. The tympanometric curve was of type B/C on the right ear. MRI revealed hydrocephalus internus with signs of inflammation of mastoid cells and cavum tympani indicating explorative myringotomy and antrotomy. Intraoperatively, we found cerebrospinal fluid in the antrotympanic cavity, including malformation of the incus without contact with stapes and fistula on the middle part of the stapedial footplate with flow out of the perilymph. CONCLUSION: Perilymphatic fistula is a rare cause of recurrent meningitis, whereas congenital ear malformation may be a cause of recurrent meningitis, particularly in children. The diagnosis is intraoperative. The surgical treatment may be very difficult, often requiring revision of procedures especially if cerebrospinal fluid pressure is increased.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2002

[A clinical study of 26 cases of cryptococcal meningitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnosis and therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical features, treatment and outcome of 26 patients with cryptococcal meningitis from October 1981 to September 2001 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 62 years (mean: 35.6 years), 12 were male and 14 were female. There were 16 patients with underlying diseases, 9 had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 4 had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 3 had other diseases. 12 patients had contact with pigeons. The nonspecific clinical and laboratory findings in these patients led to misdiagnosis: as lupus encephalopathy in 6 cases and tuberculous meningitis in 5 cases. 23 of the 26 cases were positive of cryptococcus on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) smear. 13 cases were positive on CSF culture, but latex coagulate test performed in 20 cases were all positive, 15 patients had high intracranial pressure (> 300 mm H(2)O), 9 patients with dilated ventricle received brain ventricular draining. Only 2 cases used fluconazole monotherapy. One patient only used amphotericin B. The rest of the patients were given amphotericin B in combination with flucytosine (12 patients) or fluconazole (5 cases), or flucytosine combined with fluconazole (6 cases). The mean dose of amphotericin B was 2.6 g, the highest dose of amphotericin B and liposomal amphotericin B was 10.05 g and 20 g, respectively. The outcome of the 26 cases showed that 17 were cured, 4 improved, 3 patients were died and 2 patients gave up any further treatment. From Oct. 1981 to Sep. 1996 we found only 9 cases, but in recent 5 years we found 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis was increasing in the recent 5 years. The conditions associated with this disease include extensive broad spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs or ligh-dose corticosteroids and increasing cases of HIV/AIDS. The early diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis may reduce death rate. We still recommended amphotericin B plus flucytosine as the standard therapy for cryptococcal meningitis. Ventricular drainage and amphotericin B intraventricularly via an implanted tube into dilated ventricle could improve the clinical condition of serious cryptococcal meningitis and decrease the dosage of systemic use of amphotericin B, therefore, reduce the side-effects of the drugs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗