[Candida albicans meningo-encephalo-myelo-radiculitis at an addict].

Beside immunodepression induced by the human immunodeficiency virus, fungal infections of the central nervous system are extremely rare in heroin-addict patients. We report here a case of meningo-encephalitis with myelo-radicular lesions in a 25-year-old intravenous heroin addict but non-HIV patient, who was admitted for an acute confusion associated with gait disorders. The diagnosis of Candida albicans meningo-encephalo-myelo-radiculitis was established by magnetic resonance imagery and mycological and serological examinations of cerebrospinal fluid. The infection was cured with amphotericin B lipid complex and 5-fluorocytosine. Early diagnosis and antifungal therapy for 6 months resulted in a favorable outcome. The detection of circulating Candida mannan in cerebrospinal fluid with a more sensitive technique combined to MRI were particularly decisive to confirm Candida infection diagnosis, allowing an appropriate antifungal therapy.