Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis

Abstract

Cryptococcal infections in immuno-compromised patients are of major importance. Current opinion holds that cutaneous cryptococcal infections in these patients indicate disseminated disease. In our renal transplant patient with primary cutaneous cryptococcosis, intravenously administered antifungal chemotherapy resulted in resolution of the disease and appears to have prevented disseminated infection.

Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis

“…PCC, as well as the systemic form, mostly occurs in patients with compromised host defenses: sarcoidosis [14,23], lymphosar coma [21,25], Hodgkin's lymphoma [22], or corticosteroid therapy [16,18,19,21,[23][24][25]. In some cases, however, no apparent depressed immunity has been found [8-13, 20, 25, 26].…”

Cutaneous Cryptococcosis Mimicking Keloid

“…The fungus generally manifests as a primary pulmonary infection and may then disseminate, most commonly to the meninges. Cutaneous manifestations occur in 10-15% of patients having systemic involvement [1]. These skin lesions may simulate a variety of different disease entities.…”

“…There have been occasional reports of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis [1,7]. In some instances [1,7], it was believed that cutaneous infection was due to direct inoculation of the organism, but this has been difficult to confirm.…”

“…In some instances [1,7], it was believed that cutaneous infection was due to direct inoculation of the organism, but this has been difficult to confirm. Excluding the lack of CSF data, there was no evidence that our patient had disseminated disease.…”