Pitfalls Associated With the Use of Molecular Diagnostic Panels in the Diagnosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 3;4(4):ofx242. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofx242. eCollection 2017 Fall.

Abstract

We report the case of a kidney transplantation patient on chronic immunosuppressive therapy presenting with subacute meningitis. The final diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was delayed due to 2 false-negative cryptococcal results on a molecular diagnostic panel. Caution with such platforms in suspected cryptococcal meningitis is needed.

Keywords: cryptococcal meningitis; encephalitis; meningitis; molecular diagnostic techniques; polymerase chain reaction.