First Autochthonous Case of Cryptococcal Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Host Due to Cryptococcus gattii VGIin Northern Italy

We describe a case of cryptococcal meningitis diagnosed in an immunocompetent patient, with no apparent predisposing conditions, living in Northern Italy. The patient was initially admitted for visual disturbs with nausea and cervical pain, but magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a diencephalic lesion. Colonies of Cryptococcus gattii species complex were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid. Antifungal therapy was started and conditions of the patient improved in 2 months. The fungal isolate was identified as C. gattii molecular type VGI, mating type αB, and genotype ST156. This is the most common C. gattii species complex genotype circulating in Europe and in Italy suggesting that the infection was probably acquired in Italy since the patient did not report any recent travel abroad.