Case 334: Cryptococcal Meningitis

History A 30-year-old female patient who was 25 weeks pregnant presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of mild headache and 2 weeks of progressive somnolence and photophobia accompanied by binocular horizontal diplopia and right gaze deviation. The patient also described new neck pain with passive head movements, without neck stiffness. Overall, the pregnancy was uncomplicated, with no high-risk features. Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and abdominal or chest pain were denied. The patient had no history of rash, intravenous drug use, immunosuppressive medication use, or documented congenital abnormalities. She had not traveled recently, although she lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2 years prior to presentation. There was no recent or recurrent bacterial or viral illness. At clinical examination, the patient exhibited a decreased level of alertness and appeared tired. Vital signs were unremarkable, with a normal temperature (37.1 °C). Cranial nerve assessment revealed mild right abducens nerve palsy; neurologic examination was otherwise normal. Fundoscopic examination showed moderate grade 3 papilledema, left greater than right, with obs