NEUROMENINGEAL CRYPTOCOCCOSIS AND HIV-INF ECTION - A SERIES OF 6 CASES IN TUNISIA

We report the experience of a Tunisian Infectious Disease department a bout neurologic cryptococcosis in AIDS. This opportunistic infection i s the major deep mycosis in our experience. Its incidence is about 5.8 %. Fever and focal neurologic signs are the usual presentation. Diagn osis was based in all 6 patients on a positive culture of cerebrospina l fluid. Treatment began in all cases by amphotericin B during 4 weeks . The cause of disease is still severe since we deplore 3 deaths occur ring during therapy,with a median survival of 8 months for the latter 3 patients, justifying secondary prolonged prophylaxis. Primary prophy laxis appear useful although its indication and modalities are still d iscussed.