Candida meningoencephalitis treated with 5-fluorocytosine.

The successful treatment of Candida albicans meningoencephalitis with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) is reported. After abdominal surgery with many complications, a 60-year-old man developed severe headache, lumbar pain, mental change. The significance of this was not realized for months. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed pleocytosis, high protein and low glucose concentration. One CSF culture out of 6 revealed growth of Candida albicans. Serologic tests are also indicated candida infection. After a month of treatment with 5-FC, the severe pain decreased and he improved mentally. After 4 months, the CSF was normal and the 5-FC treatment ended. For the past year, the patient has not shown any signs of relapse.