08-12-2014, 01:20 PM
This is a case where patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of cryptococcal meningitis and is treated appropriately. However, is there still a possibility for such patient with similar symptoms to suffer from bacterial meningitis, like from Strep pneumo?
The way I looked at it was that the patient should be treated soon so when doing this case, I gave him ceftriaxone, vanco, and steroids. After getting the results, then I stopped those meds and gave him antifungals. However according to the explanation, none of the bacterial antibiotics were given. In fact, it seems like we have to wait for the CSF results indicating presence of cryptococcus to treat the patient.
Does that mean in a patient who is immunocompromised, cryptococcus is more likely than bacterial meningitis due to strep pneumo?
The way I looked at it was that the patient should be treated soon so when doing this case, I gave him ceftriaxone, vanco, and steroids. After getting the results, then I stopped those meds and gave him antifungals. However according to the explanation, none of the bacterial antibiotics were given. In fact, it seems like we have to wait for the CSF results indicating presence of cryptococcus to treat the patient.
Does that mean in a patient who is immunocompromised, cryptococcus is more likely than bacterial meningitis due to strep pneumo?