What underlying infection should a physician immediately suspect when confronted with a patient with confirmed cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, and why?
A) Influenza infection. Influenza virus and C. neoformans are frequently transmitted together in respiratory droplets.
B) HIV infection/disease. People with healthy immune systems generally fend off this fungal infection before it becomes clinically symptomatic.
C) Varicella zoster virus (chicken pox). During the incubation period for chicken pox, C. neoformans has an increased ability to colonize the respiratory tract.
D) Syphilis. This sexually-transmitted illness depletes CD4+ helper T cells that are necessary to directly attack the fungal infection of C. neoformans.
E) Primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The causative agent of PAM also causes cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.

Question

What underlying infection should a physician immediately suspect when confronted with a patient with confirmed cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, and why?
A) Influenza infection. Influenza virus and C. neoformans are frequently transmitted together in respiratory droplets.
B) HIV infection/disease. People with healthy immune systems generally fend off this fungal infection before it becomes clinically symptomatic.
C) Varicella zoster virus (chicken pox). During the incubation period for chicken pox, C. neoformans has an increased ability to colonize the respiratory tract.
D) Syphilis. This sexually-transmitted illness depletes CD4+ helper T cells that are necessary to directly attack the fungal infection of C. neoformans.
E) Primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The causative agent of PAM also causes cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is a common opportunistic infection in patients with HIV infection/disease, as their immunity is compromised. Infection with C. neoformans is not usually a concern in immunocompetent individuals.

What Underlying Infection Should a Physician Immediately Suspect When Confronted