CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS VAR GATTII AMONG PATIENTS WITH CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS IN MEXICO - FIRST OBSERVATIONS

A retrospective study of 20 patients with cryptococcal meningitis and their isolated strains was performed. Cryptococcus neoformans var. neo formans was recovered from 14 (70%) cases, and var. gattii was recover ed from six (30%) patients. Twelve patients had AIDS (all carrying var . neoformans), two had other diseases (one with var, neoformans and on e var. gattii) and there was no identifiable underlying disease in six (one var. neoformans and five var. gattii). Fourteen patients (11 var . neoformans and three var. gattii) resided in the Mexico City area, w here a temperate climate is prevalent, and there were six cases (three var. neoformans and three var. gattii) from states with a tropical/su btropical climate. Although there was no significant statistical diffe rence between the two varieties, the fatal outcome was higher in patie nts with var. neoformans. The disease caused by var. gattii strains wa s characterized by a higher opening pressure, more inflammatory change s of CSF and a longer clinical course (delayed clinical and mycologica l cure). Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii is a significant cause of cryptococcal meningitis in patients without underlying diseases in Me xico.