RESUMEN La criptococosis es una enfermedad producida por un hongo levaduriforme de distribucion mundial. La incidencia es baja en individuos inmunocompetentes; se presenta frecuentemente en pacientes con compromiso de la inmunidad de tipo celular como el SIDA, las neoplasias malignas, enfermedades reumatologicas o uso de medicamentos inmunosupresores. La meningoncefalitis es la principal forma extrapulmonar y su presentacion es atipica con sintomas neurologicos subagudos. El diagnostico se puede realizar mediante observacion de las blastoconidias encapsuladas en liquido cefalorraquideo con el metodo de tinta china, cultivo, deteccion de antigeno capsular o reaccion en cadena de la polimerasa; es necesario un alto indice de sospecha del medico para hacerlo correcta y oportunamente. El esquema de tratamiento depende del tipo de paciente a tratar pero incluye en todos los casos anfotericina B, flucitocina y fluconazol. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 50 anos VIH negativa con meningoencefalitis por criptococo y su evolucion. Salud UIS 2008; 40: 52-58 Palabras Clave: Cryptococcus, meningitis, SIDA. ABSTRACT Cryptococcus infection is a worldwide disease caused by a fungus, although it has low incidence in immune-competent patients compared with patient with a compromised cellular immunity such as AIDS, malignant cell cancer, rheumatologic diseases or persons in immnunosupressant therapy (such as chemotherapy or steroids) in which is more frequently diagnosed. Meningitis is the most frequent extrapulmonar infection characterized by an atypical presentation with subacute neurological signs and symptoms. Diagnosis can be carried out either by direct observation of the spores in the cerebrospinal fluid stained with Chinese ink, culturing, capsular antigen detection by latex agglutination technique or polymerase chain reaction; although a high index of the physician’s suspicion is necessary to diagnose it appropriately. Treatment depends on the type of patient you are dealing with, but in every case amphotericin B, flucytosine and fluconazol with dose and frequency adjustments must be used. We present the case of a 50 year old HIV negative woman with cryptoccocal meningitis and her evolution. Salud UIS 2008; 40: 52-58 Key Words: Cryptococcus, meningitis, AIDS.