Ocular complications of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with HIV: report of two cases and review of the literature

Cryptococcal meningitis

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes cause meningoencephalitis with high fatality rates and considerable morbidity, particularly in persons with deficient T cell-mediated immunity, most commonly affecting people living with HIV. Whereas the global incidence of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (HIV-CM) has decreased over the past decade, cryptococcosis still accounts for one in five AIDS-related deaths globally due to the persistent burden of advanced HIV disease. Moreover, mortality remains high (~50%) in low-resource settings. The armamentarium to decrease cryptococcosis-associated mortality is expanding: cryptococcal antigen screening in the serum and pre-emptive azole therapy for cryptococcal antigenaemia are well established, whereas enhanced pre-emptive combination treatment regimens to improve survival of persons with cryptococcal antigenaemia are in clinical trials. Short courses (≤7 days) of amphotericin-based therapy combined with flucytosine are currently the preferred options for induction therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. Whether short-course induction regimens improve long-term morbidity such as depression, reduced neurocognitive performance and physical disability among survivors is the subject of further study. Here, we discuss underlying immunology, changing epidemiology, and updates on the management of cryptococcal meningitis with emphasis on HIV-associated disease.

Therapeutic lumbar puncture and lumbar drainage: which is more effective for the management of intracranial hypertension in HIV patients with cryptococcal meningitis? Results of a prospective non-randomized interventional study in China

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic lumbar drainage (LD) compared to therapeutic lumbar puncture (LP) for the management of intracranial hypertension (ICH) among HIV-positive patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM).

METHODS

The study was a multicenter prospective non-randomized interventional clinical trial. One hundred and sixteen HIV-associated CM patients were identified who presented with ICH (≥250 mmH₂O). The LP group comprised 76 cases, while the LD group consisted of 40 cases. We compared mortality, intracranial pressure (ICP) normalization rate, and clinical symptom remission at 10 weeks, between the two groups.

RESULTS

The cumulative mortality at week 10 was 22.4% in the LP group and 20% in the LD group (p = .927), without any significant difference in mortality between the two groups. Improvement after treatment at 2-weeks, ICP normalization, and headache reversal event occurrence in the two groups showed no significant difference (p > .05). The incidence of CSF Cryptococcus clearance at two weeks in the LD group was significantly higher than in the LP group (p < .05). The frequency of invasive lumbar therapeutic procedures in the LP group during the first week was higher than that of the LD group (p < .05). Localized infection at the puncture site occurred more frequently in the LD group than in the LP group (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

For HIV-positive CM patients with an elevated ICP, LD and LP are comparably effective and safe options to normalize ICP. LP increases the frequency of invasive lumbar therapeutic procedures but does not incur more risk of infection events at the puncture site, while LD may accelerate CSF Cryptococcus clearance but may induce more frequent localized infection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered as one of 12 trials under a general project at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900021195).

AIDS-related Cryptococcus neoformans choroiditis

We describe a case of Cryptococcal choroiditis in a person with advanced HIV/AIDS. A 29-year-old male with AIDS presented with fever, photophobia, and ataxia secondary to cryptococcal and toxoplasma meningoencephalitis. Dilated fundoscopic examination revealed bilateral and multifocal posterior infiltrates consistent with cryptococcal choroiditis. Treatment with parenteral and intravitreal liposomal amphotericin B, oral flucytosine, and oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole led to resolution of his symptoms and improvement in his vision. Our case documents a rare, intraocular opportunistic infection and highlights the importance of ophthalmologic examination in immunocompromised hosts with visual symptoms and invasive fungal infection. We discuss diagnostic and treatment considerations in cryptococcal choroiditis.

Seizures in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis: Predictors and Outcomes

Background

Seizures commonly occur in patients with cryptococcal meningitis, yet risk factors and outcomes related to seizures are not well described.

Methods

We performed post hoc analyses on participants prospectively enrolled in 3 separate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis clinical trials during 2010-2017. Documentation of seizures at presentation or during hospitalization and antiseizure medication receipt identified participants with seizures. We summarized participant characteristics by seizure status via Kruskal-Wallis and χ ² tests. Cox proportional hazards models analyzed the relationship between seizures and mortality. We compared mean quantitative neurocognitive performance Z (QNPZ-8) scores, and individual domain z-scores, at 3-months using independent t tests.

Results

Among 821 HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis participants, 28% (231 of 821) experienced seizures: 15.5% (127 of 821) experienced seizures at presentation, and 12.7% (104 of 821) experienced incident seizures. Participants with seizures at presentation had a significantly lower Glasgow coma scale ([GCS] <15; P < .001), CD4 count (<50 cells/mcL; P = .02), and higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (>25 cm H₂O; P = .004) when compared with participants who never experienced seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid fungal burden was higher among those with seizures at presentation (125 000 Cryptococcus colony-forming units [CFU]/mL CSF) and with seizures during follow-up (92 000 CFU/mL) compared with those who never experienced seizures (36 000 CFU/mL, P < .001). Seizures were associated with increased 10-week mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.89). Participants with seizures had lower neurocognitive function at 3 months (QNPZ-8 = -1.87) compared with those without seizures (QNPZ-8 = -1.36; P < .001).

Conclusions

Seizures were common in this HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis cohort and were associated with decreased survival and neurocognitive function.

IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME CAUSING PROGRESSIVE OPTIC NERVE EDEMA IN CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS

PURPOSE

To report an human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient undergoing therapy for cryptococcal meningitis who developed progressive optic disk edema that was steroid responsive.

METHODS

Observational case report.

RESULTS

One month after commencing antifungal treatment for cryptococcal meningitis, the patient developed bilateral, progressive, recurrent optic disk edema with subretinal fluid that coincided with initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy and recovery of CD4 cell counts. Lumbar puncture revealed normal opening pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid showed no recurrence of cryptococcal infection. There was no evidence of uveitis. The patient rapidly improved with a 5-day course of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent optic disk edema with loss of vision after treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in the setting of normal intracranial pressure may represent a unique manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome localized to the optic nerve without uveitis. This is consistent with the temporal relationship between starting highly active antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count recovery, and the development of progressive disk edema in the study patient. Isolated optic nerve inflammation as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome has not been widely reported.

Vision loss in an AIDS patient with cryptococcal meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is considered one of the AIDS-defining illness and has been reported to be associated with neurological sequels. However, acute vision loss as presenting complaint is rare in Cryptococcal meningitis. Management of Cryptococcal meningitis with antifungal therapy may not lead to favourable outcomes and may necessitate the need for invasive intervention. We report a case of acute bilateral visual loss secondary to Cryptococcal meningitis.

Rapid Reversal of Complete Binocular Blindness With High-Dose Corticosteroids and Lumbar Drain in a Solid Organ Transplant Recipient With Cryptococcal Meningitis and Immune Reconstitution Syndrome: First Case Study and Literature Review

Blindness is a rare, devastating, usually permanent complication of cryptococcal meningitis (CM). We present the first case of complete vision loss in a solid organ transplant recipient with CM treated with placement of a lumbar drain who had a dramatic visual recovery that started after 3 doses of high-dose steroids.

Acute vision loss in post-partum period as presenting symptom of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis-an unusual case report

BACKGROUND

Acute vision loss in the post-partum period can occur due to many reasons. Eclampsia, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), pituitary apoplexy, and central serous retinopathy are some of the important causes. Cryptococcal meningitis as a cause of acute vision loss in the post-partum period has not been mentioned in literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 25-year-old female presented to us with acute bilateral complete vision loss in the post-partum period. Her serum was tested positive for HIV antibodies. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed cryptococcal meningitis. She was started on amphotericin B, antiretroviral drugs, and steroids. Though symptoms of meningitis resolved after treatment no significant improvement in vision was observed at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryptococcal meningitis may be considered as one of the causes of acute vision loss in pregnant/post-partum females with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity.

Reversible Deafness and Blindness in a Patient with Cryptococcal Meningitis in Tanzania

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common and devastating complication of advanced HIV, and is most prevalent in low resource settings in sub Saharan Africa. Raised intracranial pressure is one of the hallmarks of the disease, which can lead to visual and hearing loss and ultimately death. We present the case of a patient with visual and hearing impairment secondary to Cryptococcal meningitis successfully managed by serial cerebrospinal fluid drainage. This case highlights some of the challenges of managing this severe opportunistic infection in a low resource setting.

New Insights into HIV/AIDS-Associated Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients. According to the most recent taxonomy, the responsible fungus is classified into a complex that contains two species (Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii), with eight major molecular types. HIV infection is recognized worldwide as the main underlying disease responsible for the development of cryptococcal meningitis (accounting for 80-90% of cases). In several areas of sub-Saharan Africa with the highest HIV prevalence despite the recent expansion of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy programme, cryptococcal meningitis is the leading cause of community-acquired meningitis with a high mortality burden. Although cryptococcal meningitis should be considered a neglected disease, a large body of knowledge has been developed by several studies performed in recent years. This paper will focus especially on new clinical aspects such as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, advances on management, and strategies for the prevention of clinical disease.