The first report of human cryptococcosis was published by Busse and Busckhe more than 100 years ago; 10 years later, it was identified as the cause of human meningitis. Cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated basidiomycetous yeast, represents one of the most common CNS pathogens encountered in clinical practice today. In 1661, Thomas Willis first described the inflammation of meninges and an epidemic of meningitis. In 1891, Heinrich Quincke provided an early analysis of CSF by introducing a new technique of lumbar puncture. Some specific historical feature usually surround the outbreak of rare causes of fungal meningitis. For example, outbreaks of fungal meningitis in 2002 with Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis and more recently in 2012 with Exserohilum rostratum were associated with contamination of compounded corticosteroids with resultant severe complications.^[1][2][3] The 1980s witnessed an increase in the number of cases of cryptococcus meningitis in the United States and certain African countries largely due to HIV infection

The major advancements in the history of meningitis may be summarized as follows:^{[4] [5]}

• Cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated basidiomycetous yeast, represents one of the most common CNS pathogens encountered in clinical practice today.
• The first report of human cryptococcosis was published by Busse and Busckhe more than 100 years ago; 10 years later, it was identified as the cause of human meningitis.

• In 1661, Thomas Willis first described the inflammation of meninges and an epidemic of meningitis.
• In 1891, Heinrich Quincke provided an early analysis of CSF by introducing a new technique of lumbar puncture.
• In early 19th century, detailed profile of CSF analysis in meningitis was explained by William Mestrezat, and H. Houston Merritt.
• Advancements regarding the treatment of meningitis was given by Georg Joachmann in Germany and Simon Flexnor in USA in 18th and 19th century respectively
• Some specific historical feature usually surround the outbreak of rare causes of fungal meningitis. For example, outbreaks of fungal meningitis in 2002 with Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis and more recently in 2012 with Exserohilum rostratum were associated with contamination of compounded corticosteroids with resultant severe complications.^[1][2][3]
• Between 1960s and 1970s, data from some United States hospitals showed an increase in the incidence of systemic fungal infections, including cryptococcosis.^[6]
• The 1980s witnessed an increase in the number of cases of cryptococcus meningitis in the United States and certain African countries largely due to HIV infection.