Cryptococcal Meningitis, A Rare Opportunistic Infection In An HIV Infected Nigerian Boy: A Case Report

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is an uncommon opportunistic infection in HIV infected children. Few childhood cases have been reported in literature. This is the second case report in a Nigerian child and the first at our hospital. A 13 year old boy presented with fever, cough, neck pain, convulsions and altered sensorium. He was assessed clinically and results of laboratory investigations supported a diagnosis of CM. He was diagnosed HIV positive at the same time with a history of blood transfusions in a private hospital. Unfortunately, appropriate intravenous anti-fungal to be used for treatment were not available and child died within a week of diagnosis. The pandemicity of HIV requires that a high index of suspicion be maintained to detect invasive fungal infections like CM. Efforts should also be made to ensure availability of appropriate antifungal, such as amphotericin B, for prompt treatment of affected persons. There is similarly the need to reinforce the campaign on screening of blood and blood products to prevent HIV transmission. Key words: Cryptococcal meningitis, Nigerian child, HIV/AIDS