A 42-year-old woman from Delhi with a known CD4+ count of 120 cells/μL presents with a 2-week history of progressive headache, fever, and neck stiffness. Lumbar puncture shows clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with elevated protein (180 mg/dL), normal glucose (48 mg/dL with simultaneous blood glucose 95 mg/dL), and no cells. CSF India ink stain is positive. Blood cultures are negative. What is the pathophysiologic basis for the CSF abnormalities in this patient's condition?