Cryptococcal meningitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans genotype AFLP 1/ VNI in Iran: a review of the literature

Cryptococcal meningitis is the most important opportunistic fungal infection with a high mortality in HIV ‐patients in less developed regions. Here, we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis in a 49‐year‐old HIV ‐positive female due to Cryptococcus neoformans (serotype A, mating‐type alpha, genotype AFLP 1/ VNI ) in Sari, Iran. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests showed MIC s of isavuconazole (0.016 μg ml −1 ), voriconazole (0.031 μg ml −1 ), posaconazole (0.031 μg ml −1 ), itraconazole (0.063 μg ml −1 ), amphotericin B (0.125 μg ml −1 ) and fluconazole (8 μg ml −1 ). Despite immediate antifungal therapy, the patient died 4 days later due to respiratory failure. Cryptococcal infections have been infrequently reported from Iran and therefore we analysed all published cases of cryptococcosis in Iran since the first reported case from 1969.