World’s first reported case of Rhodoturula Meningitis alongwith CMV Meningitis in a 2-month-old treated at Fortis Noida

New Delhi: World’s First reported case of Rhodoturula infection ((Rhodotorula is a genus of pigmented yeasts) coupled with CMV Meningitis in a 2-month-old infant was successfully treated by a team of doctors at Fortis Noida.

This is second reported case of CMV meningitis diagnosed via Biofire (an infection and inflammation of the lining of the brain, caused by a virus named CMV -Cytomegalovirus) in the world as per the available medical records. The team of doctors led by Dr Ashutosh Sinha, Director & Head, Paediatrics, Fortis Noida adopted the correct line of treatment post detailed medical evaluation and timely diagnosis of the rare reported medical conditions.

The infant, a resident of Mathura, U.P. was admitted to Fortis Noida with fever, increased irritability and two episodes of abnormal movements, including up-rolling of eyes, bulging in the top of head and irritable cry. Several medical tests such as MRI, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) were conducted to identify any underlying infection, which revealed that the baby had meningitis. Owing to the uncontrolled seizures, the baby was intubated and administered antibiotics.

Clinically, the baby showed improvement with satisfactory feeding and activity, but his high-grade fever was not getting better. He was having 3 – 4 episodes of fever everyday, thus a CSF examination was repeated and sent for a Biofire test which was CMV positive. Injection Ganciclovir was administered for following six weeks. However, fever didn’t subside even after 10 days of IV ganciclovir being administered. The CSF fungal culture revealed the presence of Rhodotorula infection, reported for the First time across the globe.

Elaborating on the case, Dr Ashutosh Sinha said, “A repeat CSF fungal culture revealed the presence of a rare yeast – Rhodotorula species, which has not been identified or observed in CMV anywhere in the world.  Then Amphotericin B was started and continued for four weeks, which helped the baby recover and his fever also subsided. Without immediate and correct treatment, the chances of survival were meagre. Initial MRI had shown changes in the brain but subsequent MRI of brain showed improvement and we discharged the baby in normal condition without any complications.  The condition has risk factors – high mortality, neurodisability and other related complications if left undiagnosed and untreated.”

Dr Sinha further added “Cytomegalovirus is a common virus and once infected, the body retains the virus for life. Most people don’t know they have CMV because it rarely causes problems in healthy people. This infection generally happens in immunocompromised and HIV patients or those undergoing chemotheraphy. There have been cases reported of CMV infection in babies acquired before birth from mother or after birth through breast milk but infection of the brain is very rare. Some babies can acquire it after birth via breast milk. However, in this case, it was not possible to ascertain if breast milk was the carrier, although we stopped breast milk to limit the exposure.”