Fungal meningitis

Last reviewed: 24 Aug 2023
Last updated: 13 Jun 2023
13 Jun 2023

CDC advises of fungal meningitis outbreak associated with procedures performed under epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised of an ongoing multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis among patients who received procedures under epidural anesthesia at two centers in Matamoros, Mexico during January 1–May 13, 2023.

​Fungal signals consistent with the Fusarium solani species complex were detected in cerebrospinal fluid of patients receiving care. Given the potential high case-fatality rate of central nervous system Fusarium infections and the latency of symptom onset, the CDC advises that all exposed patients should receive a lumbar puncture to test for fungal meningitis, regardless of symptoms. To date, over 200 people in 25 states have been identified as being at risk, and four patients have died.

Interim guidance for the diagnosis and management of fungal meningitis associated with this outbreak is available and is being updated as the ongoing investigation develops.​ Fungus Education Hub: interim recommendations for diagnosis and management of cases of fungal meningitis associated with epidural anesthesia administered in Matamoros, Mexico Opens in new window

See Epidemiology

Original source of update

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • progressive headache
  • severe headache
  • meningismus
  • symptoms of hydrocephalus (impaired cognitive function, confusion, coordination and gait disturbances, and urinary incontinence)
  • behavioral or personality change
  • reduced visual acuity and papilledema
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • nausea or vomiting
  • fever
  • reduced conscious level
  • cranial nerve palsies
  • seizures
  • weight loss
  • mouth ulcers
  • focal neurologic signs
  • lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly
  • dyspnea
  • papular umbilicated skin lesions
  • retinal defects
  • nasal or palatal eschar
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • HIV infection
  • corticosteroid use
  • underlying chronic disease (e.g., malignancy, organ failure, autoimmune disease, organ transplant)
  • residing in or visiting northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, or Vancouver Island, Canada
  • exposure to disturbed soil, chicken guano, or bat caves
  • impaired cell-mediated immunity
  • Filipinos and African Americans
  • neutropenia or impaired phagocytic function
  • neurosurgery
  • infants and neonates
  • central vascular catheters
  • sinonasal disease
  • antibacterial usage
  • prior surgery
  • hyperalimentation
  • intravenous drug use
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • CT and/or MRI head scan
  • fungal blood cultures (3 sets)
  • serum cryptococcal antigen test
  • serum + urine Histoplasma antigen
  • immunodiffusion tests (IgM and IgG) and complement fixation test (IgG) for coccidioidomycosis
  • cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) WBC and differential
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose
  • cerebrospinal fluid India ink stain
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture
  • cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen test
  • cerebrospinal fluid Histoplasma antigen
  • cerebrospinal fluid Histoplasma antibodies
  • cerebrospinal fluid coccidioidal IgG antibodies
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) galactomannan antigen test
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • histopathology and culture of biopsies: meningeal, brain, extraneural sites of involvement
  • polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
More investigations to consider

Emerging tests

  • 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (1-3)-beta-D-glucan

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

cryptococcal meningitis

histoplasmal meningitis

coccidioidal meningitis

candidal meningitis

Exserohilum rostratum meningitis

Aspergillus meningitis

mucormycosal meningitis

Contributors

Authors

Abhijit Chaudhuri, DM, MD, PhD, FACP, FRCP (Glasg), FRCP (Lond)

Consultant Neurologist

Clinical Lead of Neuroinflammation

Department of Neurology

Queen's Hospital

Romford

UK

Disclosures

AC declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Abhijit Chaudhuri would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Thomas S. Harrison and Dr Angela Loyse, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

TSH and AL declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Robert A. Larsen, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine

University of Southern California

Keck School of Medicine

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

RAL declares that he has no competing interests.

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