Early diagnosis of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in HIV-negative patients: Integration of brain MRI and clinical findings.

PURPOSE: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients are often diagnosed later than in HIV-infected patients, which increases mortality rates concerning the former. Consequently, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving clinical prognosis in HIV-negative patients. This study investigated the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with clinical and laboratory findings for early diagnosis of CM in HIV-negative patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis included consecutive patients diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) infections. Demographic profiles, laboratory findings, admission symptoms, and MRI findings were assessed. A comparative analysis between CM and other CNS infections was performed. RESULTS: Twelve HIV-negative patients were diagnosed with CM, while 38 exhibited other CNS infections (two fungal, 23 bacterial, 12 viral, one parasitic). Pseudocysts on MRI (p = 0.002), absence of fever (p = 0.001), headache (p = 0.005), and normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.020) were specific findings in CM. By applying a cut-off value of one point in combination of pseudocysts, absence of fever, headache, and normal CRP levels in differentiating CM from other CNS infections, the sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 76.3 % and 91.7 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Integrating pseudocysts, absence of fever, headache, and normal CRP levels predicts early CM diagnosis, potentially improving outcomes.