TREATMENT OF CRYPTOCOCCIC MENINGITIS WITH PENICILLIN

Abstract

UP TO the present time 97 cases of meningitis due to Cryptococcus have been reported. More than one complete review of the literature has been published, with an analysis of cases. We wish to add 1 case, in which we had the opportunity to study the effects of penicillin on the organism in vivo. The case was that of a child of 6 years, in an age group in which the disease is exceedingly rare, but the manifestations and the course were typical. The effects of penicillin were closely followed culturally, and correlation of penicillin levels and cultural results was attempted. As in the majority of cases, the diagnosis in this one was made late; the disease is notorious for its ambiguity and for difficulty of clinical recognition. The cultural results in this case were promising and are reported here in the hope that with earlier diagnosis, therapy with penicillin