Outcomes in Previously Healthy Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis Patients Treated With Pulse Taper Corticosteroids for Post-infectious Inflammatory Syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is a major cause of mortality in immunosuppressed patients and previously healthy individuals. In the latter, a post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS) is associated with poor clinical response despite antifungal therapy and negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures. Data on effective treatment are limited.

Methods

Between March 2015 and March 2020, 15 consecutive previously healthy patients with CM and PIIRS were treated with adjunctive pulse corticosteroid taper therapy (PCT) consisting of intravenous methylprednisolone 1 gm daily for 1 week followed by oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day, tapered based on clinical and radiological response plus oral fluconazole. Montreal cognitive assessments (MOCA), Karnofsky perf

SUBMITTER: Anjum S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8563180 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature