Abstract Details

Title Patient with Recurrent Acute Ischemic Strokes Found to have Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Case Report

Topic Cerebrovascular Disease and Interventional Neurology

Presentation(s) P12 - Poster Session 12 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 6-023

Objective n/a

Background Cryptococcal meningitis is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. Infections most often present in immunocompromised patients, classically AIDS or transplant patients. We present a case of a seemingly immunocompetent patient who presented with recurrent strokes found to have cryptococcal meningitis.

Design/Methods n/a

Results The patient was a 55-year-old male construction worker with hypertension. A year prior to admission, he was hospitalized for a week with mild SARS-COVID-19 infection. He had received two doses of the mRNA Covid vaccines.

One month prior to admission, he developed headaches initially treated as sinus infection with oral antibiotics and steroids. Two weeks later, there was concern for acute-onset aphasia. He was afebrile with mild leukocytosis (13.6 B/L). MRI brain showed multiple, bilateral, scattered lacunar infarcts and left cerebellar infarcts. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were unremarkable. A loop recorder was placed. He was started on dual antiplatelet and statin therapy.

A week later, he was encephalopathic and lethargic. Repeat MRI brain showed new acute lacunar and bilateral cerebellar infarcts. The loop recorder was negative for arrhythmias. A lumbar puncture (LP) was deferred for unclear reasons. Patient was transferred to our stroke service, where he was febrile (102.3°F) with leukocytosis (17.4 B/L). He was encephalopathic and had nuchal rigidity. LP showed elevated opening pressure (55 cm H2O) and tested positive for Cryptococcal antigen. Liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine were initiated. Diagnostic angiogram was negative for vasculitis. His CD4 count was 332 (normal 410-1,590), however HIV testing was negative and pan-CT scan showed no signs of underlying malignancy. His prolonged hospital course was complicated by elevated intracranial pressure, further strokes, and poor mental status requiring placement of tracheostomy and enteral tube access.

Conclusions It is important to keep infection, including cryptococcal meningitis, in the differential for the cause of recurrent strokes even in seemingly immunocompetent patients.

Authors/Disclosures
Victor Wang, MD (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital) PRESENTER	Dr. Wang has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Pfizer. Dr. Wang has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie.
	No disclosure on file
Rikka Azuma, MD (Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Neurology)	Dr. Azuma has nothing to disclose.

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