08/11/2026
🔬Microbiology cases 🧫
Growth detected on day 2 of the culture.
đź§ŞKey findings:
Small tan colonies
Gram stain: encapsulated budding round yeast
ME panel: positive for Cryprococcus neoformans/gattii
India ink: Negative
CSF cell count: increased WBC & RBC
đź’ˇPearl: A negative India ink does not exclude cryptococcal meningitidis. Sensitivity can be limited particularly with lower organism burdens. Molecular testing and culture remain important tools when cryptococcosis is suspected.