Cryptococcus, an opportunistic yeast, known to afflict immune-compromised patients is often overlooked in immune-competent patients. This has led to increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide. We present a case ofCryptococcuscausing sternal osteomyelitis in an immune-competent individual. Till date no case ofCryptococcuscausing sternal osteomyelitis in an immune-competent patient has been reported in the English literature since 1946–2011. With the rising incidence ofCryptococcusinfection it should be included among the list of infections causing osteomyelitis. Early detection and prompt treatment can decrease both morbidity and mortality.
Disseminated toxoplasmosis in AIDS is a rare condition. We present an unusual case of a fulminant form of disseminated toxoplasmosis in a young male homosexual. He was a 30-year-old HIV-positive (diagnosed 4 months earlier), admitted with a 5-day history of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and cough. He had been generally healthy except for an 8-week history of weight loss and malaise. On admission, except for a temperature of 37.6 degrees C, the physical examination was normal. He was treated symptomatically. Four days after admission he suddenly became short of breath. Despite intensive management, he continued to deteriorate and expired 6 h later. Postmortem examination revealed disseminated toxoplasmosis involving the heart, lungs, brain, stomach, small intestine, and colon. This is an unusual presentation of disseminated toxoplasmosis because of its rapid course with no prior indication of infection. To our knowledge, such an atypical and rapid downhill course of toxoplasmosis (with minimal clinical and laboratory features) has not been reported previously. Increased awareness of this infection in all HIV patients and its possibly rapid course is needed.
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