Candida parapsilosis meningitis in a patient with AIDS. Report of a case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Candida parapsilosis is an important species in the genus Candida that plays a significant role in hospitalized patients with nosocomial infections. In patients with HIV infection or AIDS, central nervous system involvement by Candida species is exceptional. CASE REPORT Here we report a case of an acute meningoencephalitis due to C. parapsilosis in an adult patient with AIDS. We describe the clinical manifestations, the diagnosis methods, antifungal therapy and outcome. CONCLUSIONS C. parapsilosis is uncommonly reported as a cause of meningitis in AIDS patients. A higher index of suspicion and culture is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of candidal meningoencephalitis.