Question
I have been vomiting continuously for 20 days, with headaches. After undergoing a lumbar puncture, I was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis. I received a day of amphotericin B treatment and now feel slightly better. I want to ask the doctor if this can lead to a complete recovery from cryptococcal meningitis.
Answer
Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the infection of the meninges and (or) brain substance by Cryptococcus neoformans. It often has a history of long-term and large-scale use of antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and immunocompromised diseases such as AIDS, lymphoma, leukemia, organ transplantation, etc. Cryptococcus can be found in the lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid smear. Treatments such as amphotericin B, ketoconazole, and 5-fluorouracil can be used.