DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2014.v02i06.020

Pages: 414-416

The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis is increasing due to underlying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Cryptococcus neoformans, the causative agent, has two varieties - var neoformans, which is usually seen in immunodeficient and var gattii, in immunocompetent individuals. Whether the patient is immunocompromised or immunocompetent, the outcome of the disease can be severe unless the disease is diagnosed early in the course of illness. In this case report, Cryptococcus neoformans var neoformans is the cause of meningitis in a young immunocompetent female. This report highlights the importance of thorough microbiological work-up for early diagnosis of the disease.