[zinah]

Hi guys, I have a question and I need an answer, what is the most common cause of meningitis in HIV positive pt. Is it cryptococcal as USMLE WORLD Qbank says or streptococcal pneumonia as Kaplan Qbank says !!
in case there is no clue in the question for the causative agent and we have to choose most common cause which one is the correct answer .
I appreciate your help.
Thank you
:toosad:

 

[khanar]

It's cryptococcal

The most common cause of meningitis is cryptococcal the second most common is aseptic viral meningitis (can be due to HIV itself) and streptococcus pneumoniae comes in the third position.

Ref- Emedicine

 

[zinah]

Thank you Mary I ll keep that in mind

 

[khanar]

Maybe the Kaplan question has described bacterial meningitis, in that case then YES pneumococcal meningitis is the most common cause

 

[Asha]

its crypto(the first choice)...HIV patients do get pneumonia with strepto but only when the CD4 counts are above 300..,this means if the CD4 counts are not so less for the crypto to peep in then strep is the culprit just like in any one of non HIV patients

 

[good_boy_1234]

It is a good question,it seems from members that is cryptococcus

 

[zinah]

Exactly ... if the pateint is HIV positive but doesnt have AIDS yet (with high CD number) still he is like others more possible to get streptococcal infection than get cryptococcal infection.
Who agree and who doesnt agree ?

 

[khanar]

Exactly ... if the pateint is HIV positive but doesnt have AIDS yet (with high CD number) still he is like others more possible to get streptococcal infection than get cryptococcal infection.
Who agree and who doesnt agree ?

I agree