Culture-confirmed cryptococcal meningitis not detected by Cryptococcus PCR on the Biofire meningitis/encephalitis panel®

Abstract The Biofire meningitis/encephalitis panel is a PCR with fourteen targets including Cryptoccocus neoformans/gattii. Its rapid results may allow clinicians to confirm a diagnosis within a relatively short time. However, false negative results secondary to erroneous automated reading, and false positive results have been reported. We report two cases of Cryptococcus meningitis with negative results on the Biofire ME panel, due to a fungal load below the limit of detection.