Linked Life Data

8560554

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/8560554

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-2-27
pubmed:abstractText
We present our experience with 10 liver transplant recipients in whom cryptococcal meningitis developed after liver transplantation. Disease developed a median period of 3.5 months (range, 2-36 months) after transplantation and patients were diagnosed a median period of 9 days (range, 2-90 days) after initial symptoms. Headache, fever, and mental status changes were the most frequent clinical presentations, while meningismus was found in only 30% of patients. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was diagnostic in all cases. All patients were treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine. Immunosuppression was either decreased or discontinued during therapy. Five patients died, four as a direct result of cryptococcal infection and one as a result of chronic rejection. Three patients had long-term survival without any sequelae. One long-term survivor suffered blindness consequent to the disease. We conclude that cryptococcal meningitis is a rare complication in liver transplant recipients (0.25%), and has a high mortality rate (50%). Early recognition, combination antifungal therapy, and decrease or discontinuation of immunosuppression are important for cure. No relapse has been seen in surviving patients.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0041-1337
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
61
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
146-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Cryptococcal meningitis after liver transplantation.
pubmed:affiliation
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Transplantation Institute, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article