[Neuromeningeal cryptococcosis in Mali]. / La cryptococcose neuro-méningée au Mali.

Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common fatal central nervous system infection in AIDS patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this prospective study conducted from March 2003 to February 2004 in the internal medicine and infectious diseases departments of the Point G University Hospital Center was to investigate the clinical, prognostic and epidemiological profile of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in patients hospitalized for brain and meningeale infection (BMI). Diagnosis of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis (NMC) was based on positive identification of Cryptococcus by direct exam of the cebrospinal fluid (CSF) after India ink staining and/or culture on Sabouraud medium without actidione. During the study period, a total of 569 patients were hospitalized including 235 (41.3%) with HIV infection. Overall C. neoformans was identified in 14 patients. Median patient age was 39 +/- 8 years. There was a male preponderance with a sex ratio of 1.8 (9 men/5 women). Patients with BMI were HIV-positive in 85.7% of cases (n=12) and HIV-negative in 14.3% (n=2). The overall and HIV-specific prevalence of BMI was 2.5% and 5.1% respectively. The CD4 lymphocyte count was between I and 49 cells/mm3 in 64.3% of cases. The main clinical symptoms were cephalea in 85.7% of cases, altered consciousness in 50% and nausea/vomiting in 35.7%. Neurological manifestations (hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficit) were noted in 14.3%. HIV infection is the main purveyor of NMC in Mali. The actual incidence of cryptococcosis is unclear due to the poor sensitivity of diagnostic techniques. This study highlights diagnostic difficulties related to clinical polymorphism and poor technical facilities. Agglutination testing of blood and CSF is recommended, but mortality remains.

[Lymphocytic meningitis in Bamako, Mali]. / Les Meningites Lymphocytaires a Bamako, Mali.

We conducted a prospective survey from January 2001 to March 2002. Our objective was to study etiologic, clinic, and prognostic aspect of lymphocytic meningitis in hospital of Point G to Bamako. We included 35 patients with 25 male (71. 4%) and 10 female (28. 6%), sex - ratio (M / F) equal 2. 5. The median age was of 35 ± 25.4 years (range, 16 - 66 years). HIV serology was positive 26 cases (83. 9%). Clinical presentations were different. We observed 15 cases of encephalitis, 12 cases of meningoencephalitis, 2 cases of meningitis and 6 cases of febrile syndrome. Mean duration of hospitalization was 32. 6 ± 68 days. Mean of lymphocyte was 85.3 ± 25.9% among leukocytes in cerebrospinal fluid of 31 patients. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified in 9 cases Cryptococcocus neoformans. In 16 cases etiology was determination based on indirect arguments. In 9 cases viral meningoencephalitis diagnosis was made by exodiagnosis. It concerned 2 cases of TB meningitis, 1 case of cerebral toxoplasmosis, 1 case of decapitate bacterial meningitis and 1 case of cerebral tumor. Malaria thick smear permits to diagnosticate 1 case of cerebral malaria and 1 case of uncomplicated malaria. There are still 10 cases in which the cause remained unknown during study. HIV infection provides principally lymphocytic meningitis. Co morbidity with HIV is associated to lethality at 75%. But no statistical difference with patients without HIV (p = 0.52). Our work puts in exergue all problematic and hold correct of lymphocytic meningitis in our country.