Meningitis; cryptococcal
Alternative names:
cryptococcal meningitis
Definition:
An inflammation or infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by the yeast-type organisms cryptococcus.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Cryptococcus neoformans is the organism that causes cryptococcal meningitis. It is a yeast that is found in soil worldwide. Risk factors include AIDS, lymphoma, or diabetes. The incidence is 5 out of 1,000,000 people.
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