Monolateral visual loss due to cryptococcal meningitis.

Abstract

A case of retrobulbar monolateral optic neuritis due to disseminated Cryptococcosis in a 32-year-old man with a new diagnosis of AIDS is described in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). The patient presented a monolateral rapid visual loss on day 7 of a liposomal amphotericin B treatment. Neuroradiological imaging showed the presence of retrobulbar neuritis. After starting ART and intravenous metilprednisolone 1 g daily for 3 days, we assisted to a progressive improvement of visual acuity. At 3 months of follow-up, complete clinical resolution was obtained. In this case, in the presence of effective antiretroviral and antifungal treatment, a short course of metilprednisolone was a safe therapy.

• Authors: Giuseppe Vittorio Luigi De Socio, Laura Bernini, Paola Menduno, Lucia Pitzurra, Francesca Leone, Franco Baldelli
• Journal: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (Chicago, Ill. : 2002) (J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care (Chic)) 2011 Mar-Apr Vol. 10 Issue 2 Pg. 76-8 ISSN: 1557-0886 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21368010 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents

Topics

• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Blindness
• Cryptococcosis
• Humans
• Meningitis, Cryptococcal (drug therapy)