Meningitis caused by Rhodotorula rubra in an human immunodeficiency virus infected patient

Indian J Med Microbiol. 2007 Apr;25(2):166-8. doi: 10.4103/0255-0857.32730.

Abstract

Rhodotorula spp. are common saprophytes but may be responsible for systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. Meningitis caused by Rhodotorula spp. in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients has been reported only rarely. We present a case of meningitis caused by Rhodotorula rubra in HIV infected patient. The presumptive diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was made on the basis of India ink preparation, Gram staining and latex agglutination test (LAT) for cryptococcal antigen. The final diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Rhodotorula rubra from cerebrospinal fluid on culture. LAT was considered false positive. Amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine were administered but the patient succumbed to his illness.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology*
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Flucytosine / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Latex Fixation Tests
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Meningitis, Fungal / microbiology*
  • Rhodotorula / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Flucytosine