Commentary

Abstract

Emergency physicians are the front-line providers for diagnosis and initial empiric treatment of meningoencephalitis. The diagnosis of subacute central nervous system infections is often difficult, and additional consideration of these infections is given to patients with impaired immune function. For example, meningitis caused by C neoformans would be a consideration in an HIV-infected patient with a new or unusual headache. The emergence of C gattii in the Pacific Northwest represents a concerning challenge to this approach because C gattii primarily affects nonimmunocompromised individuals and is associated with serious morbidity and mortality. 1 Byrnes III, E.J. Li W. Lewit Y. et al. Emergence and pathogenicity of highly virulent Cryptococcus gattii genotypes in the northwest United States. PLoS Pathogens. 2010; 6: 1-16 Crossref Scopus (246) Google Scholar Emergence of Cryptococcus gattii—Pacific Northwest, 2004-2010Annals of Emergency MedicineVol. 57Issue 1Preview[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergence of Cryptococcus gattii—Pacific Northwest 2004-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010;59:865-868.] Full-Text PDF