Pulmonary cryptosporidiosis in a case of adenocarcinoma of stomach: A rare case report

Abstract

Cryptosporidium species are commonly known to cause chronic intractable diarrhea in patients suffering from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, however extra-intestinal presentations have been rarely reported. Hereby, we report a rare case of isolated pulmonary cryptosporidiosis in a 75-year-old HIV-negative patient with metastatic carcinoma of the stomach who was managed conservatively with hemostatic radiotherapy for palliative care. The patient had presented with cough with expectoration for 2 months. Sputum microscopic examination was suggestive of pulmonary cryptosporidiosis. There was no evidence of intestinal cryptosporidiosis. Therapy for pulmonary cryptosporidiosis was started with tablet nitazoxanide. The patient succumbed to the disease few days later following discharge. Although rare, patients with disseminated gastrointestinal malignancy can potentially have isolated pulmonary cryptosporidiosis.