Cryptococcal meningitis post-covid-19 infection: Immunomodulation, a double-edged sword

Hilal W Abdessamad; Michel Achkar; Amal Al Zoghbi; Mohamad Fleifel; Abdul Rahman Ousta; Ahmad Kassar; Nadia L Samaha; Rita Nemr; Anna Farra; Jacques E Mokhbat; Rola Husni

doi:10.3855/jidc.17170

Cryptococcal meningitis post-covid-19 infection: Immunomodulation, a double-edged sword

Authors

Hilal W Abdessamad Infectious Diseases, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Michel Achkar Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Amal Al Zoghbi Endocrinology, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Mohamad Fleifel Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Abdul Rahman Ousta Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Ahmad Kassar Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Nadia L Samaha Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, United States
Rita Nemr Endocrinology, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Anna Farra Infectious Diseases, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Jacques E Mokhbat Infectious Diseases, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
Rola Husni Infectious Diseases, Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6893-5027

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17170

Keywords:

cryptococcus, meningitis, immunomodulation, COVID-19

Abstract

Cryptococcal meningitis is an opportunistic infection associated with altered immunity. Immunomodulatory agent use in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may predispose such infections. Here, we present a 75-year-old male patient who presented with fever and altered general status after severe COVID-19 infection and developed cryptococcal meningitis. Opportunistic infection may arise from the use of immunomodulation in severe COVID-19, especially in the elderly population. This article describes the case and extensively reviews cryptococcal disease post-COVID-19 literature, highlighting the risk from immunosuppressive treatment.

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Published

2023-05-31

How to Cite

Abdessamad HW, Achkar M, Al Zoghbi A, Fleifel M, Ousta AR, Kassar A, Samaha NL, Nemr R, Farra A, Mokhbat JE, Husni R (2023) Cryptococcal meningitis post-covid-19 infection: Immunomodulation, a double-edged sword. J Infect Dev Ctries 17:623–630. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17170

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Issue

Vol. 17 No. 05: May 2023

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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