Authors :
Aldin D. Gaspar
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/mv3p9enr
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may1160
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This case report describes the nursing care of a 23-year-old male patient admitted to the intensive care unit with
a rare diagnosis of concurrent cryptococcal meningitis and autoimmune encephalitis. The patient presented with rapid onset
neurological symptoms, including slurred speech, diaphoresis, weakness, syncope, and seizures. Diagnostic workup included
Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), and Cerebrospinal
Fluid (CSF) analysis, which revealed findings suggestive of cryptococcal infection. The patient was managed with steroids,
antifungal therapy and supportive care. This case highlights the importance of considering both infectious and autoimmune
etiologies in patients presenting with complex neurological manifestations.
Keywords :
Cryptococcal Meningitis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, Case Report, Nursing Care, Intensive Care Unit.
References :
- Pyrgos, V., Seitz, A. E., Steiner, C. A., Prevots, D. R., & Williamson, P. R. (2013). Epidemiology of cryptococcal meningitis in the US: 1997-2009. PloS one, 8(2), e56269. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0056269
- Neațu, M., Jugurt, A., Covaliu, A., Davidescu, E. I., & Popescu, B. O. (2023). Autoimmune Encephalitis-A Multifaceted Pathology. Biomedicines, 11(8), 2176. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11082176
- Nguyen, L., & Wang, C. (2023). Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoimmune Encephalitis: Diagnosis and Management Strategies. International journal of general medicine, 16, 7–21. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S397429
- Van de Louw, A., Shaffer, C., & Schaefer, E. (2014). Early intensive care unit-acquired hypernatremia in severe sepsis patients receiving 0.9% saline fluid resuscitation. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 58(8), 1007–1014. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.12368
- Carpenito, L. J. (2016). Handbook of nursing diagnosis (15th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Herdman, T. H., Kamitsuru, S., & Lopes, C. (2024). NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses Definitions and Classification, 2024-2026. Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
- Hickey, J. V., & Strayer, A. L. (2020). The clinical practice of neurological and neurosurgical nursing, 8e. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Wolters Kluwer business. https://advisor.lwwhealthlibrary.com/book.aspx?bookid=2974§ionid=0
- Kalanuria, A.A., Zai, W. & Mirski, M. (2014). Ventilator-associated pneumonia in the ICU. Crit Care 18(2), 208. https://doi.org/10.1186/cc13775
- Uy, C. E., Binks, S., & Irani, S. R. (2021). Autoimmune encephalitis: clinical spectrum and management. Practical Neurology, 21(5), 412–423. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2020-002567
- Valdoleiros, S. R., Calejo, M., Marinho, A., Martins da Silva, A., Vasconcelos, O., Gonçalves, M. J., & Sarmento E Castro, R. (2020). First report of concomitant cryptococcal meningitis and anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Brain, behavior, & immunity - health, 2, 100036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100036
- Khan, A. F., Arshad, T., Alvi, Z., & Wasay, M. (2022). Cryptococcal meningitis and anti NMDA antibodies in an immunocompetent patient. Neuroimmunology Reports, 2, 100084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nerep.2022.100084
This case report describes the nursing care of a 23-year-old male patient admitted to the intensive care unit with
a rare diagnosis of concurrent cryptococcal meningitis and autoimmune encephalitis. The patient presented with rapid onset
neurological symptoms, including slurred speech, diaphoresis, weakness, syncope, and seizures. Diagnostic workup included
Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), and Cerebrospinal
Fluid (CSF) analysis, which revealed findings suggestive of cryptococcal infection. The patient was managed with steroids,
antifungal therapy and supportive care. This case highlights the importance of considering both infectious and autoimmune
etiologies in patients presenting with complex neurological manifestations.
Keywords :
Cryptococcal Meningitis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, Case Report, Nursing Care, Intensive Care Unit.