Successful polymerase chain reaction-based diagnosis of fungal meningitis in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease

Acta Paediatr Jpn. 1998 Aug;40(4):356-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200x.1998.tb01947.x.

Abstract

Meningitis is not a common complication of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Here, we present details of a 3-year-old boy with X-linked CGD, who suffered from fungal meningitis. While 19 samplings using conventional cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures failed to detect any organisms, fungal DNA was identified in the CSF by a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. The patient recovered without any sequelae after treatment with a combination of antifungal agents, interferon-gamma and granulocyte infusions. This case report demonstrates that fungal meningitis must be included in the differential diagnosis of infections in CGD patients and that the PCR-based detection of fungal DNA is a powerful tool for diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Fungal / analysis
  • Granulomatous Disease, Chronic / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal