You are probably referring to Cryptococcus neoformans, the cause of cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcus is yeast or fungus which you get breathing it into your lungs. Although it can cause pneumonia, it more often causes meningitis. People with cryptococcal meningitis usually have fever and headache, but they can sometimes have seizures, stiff neck,even coma. The case you describe is a little unusual, so I certainly wouldn't want to tell you that that's what he has.
Some people can have a positive blood test without having actual meningitis.
They need treatment, too but they can usually skip the amphotericin B and go right to fluconazole. But because cryptococcal meningitis is rare in people with T-cell counts as high as your friend's, they wouldn't normally be getting that test. My comments are general comments about cryptococcus, and may not apply to your friend's case. I hope that helps. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material.