Objective The clinical characteristics of 55 patients with non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) were analyzed to provide scientific basis for early clinical diagnosis of the disease.
Methods The electronic medical records of 55 patients with non-HIV-associated CM diagnosed in Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and 5 other primary hospitals from January 2004 to October 2023 were retrospectively studied, and their past medical history, first clinical features, laboratory examination and imaging examination were analyzed.
Results Among 55 patients with non-HIV-associated CM, 27 were males (49.1%), and the median age was 57 years (43, 67). 40 patients (72.73%) lived in rural areas, 32 patients (58.18%) had underlying diseases. Headache was the most typical initial clinical symptom (76.36%), followed by nausea and vomiting (50.91%), dizziness (45.45%), meningeal irritation (43.64%), and fever (41.82%). The percentage of intracranial pressure increase, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell count increase, CSF protein quantitative detection increase, CSF glucose quantitative detection decrease, and CSF chloride quantitative detection decrease were 73.33%, 94.34%, 86.00%, 68.52% and 64.81%, respectively. The percentage of white blood cells increase and neutrophils increase were 50.91% and 67.27%. Imaging abnormalities accounted for 50.91% , mainly included infarction, abnormal signal lesions and demyelinating lesions.
Conclusion Non-HIV-associated CM patients were mainly middle-aged and elderly patients, and the living environment was mainly rural. The first clinical features were headache, followed by nausea and vomiting, dizziness, positive meningeal irritation signs and fever. Most of the intracranial pressure and CSF related indicators were abnormal. Improving doctors' awareness of non-HIV-associated CM would benefit the early diagnosis and treatment of patients groups.
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