Khaba MC, Ngale TC, Makhado NA. Fungal infection of the central nervous system: Autopsy analysis of six cases.
SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2022;
10:2050313X221122419. [PMID:
36105784 PMCID:
PMC9465580 DOI:
10.1177/2050313x221122419]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections of the central nervous system are fatal and rare clinical
entities observable in immunosuppressed patients from varying causes. They carry
higher risks of morbidities and mortality as compared to viral, bacterial or
parasitic central nervous system infections. This study describes
clinicopathological description of the central nervous system fungal infections
with antemortem diagnostic challenges. This is a 9-year retrospective study of
six cases composed of three females and three males with a mean age of
29.3 years. All six decedents presented with signs of meningeal irritation. They
all suffered from immunodeficiency of varying causes. The gross and microscopic
features revealed cryptococcosis, candidiasis and mucormycosis as the cause of
the central nervous system infection. Early diagnosis and appropriate medical
treatment are of paramount importance in improving the overall survival of
patients with central nervous system mycosis. A few autopsy cases with fungal
infection of the central nervous system have been described; therefore, more
autopsies studies are needed to re-enforce on the existing epidemiology of these
fatal infections. Moreover, this will assist in further elucidating the varying
gross features and tissue reaction patterns associated with them.
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