Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii serotype B, in an immunocompetent patient

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 225 - 228
• Main Authors: Lacaz, Carlos da Silva, Heins-Vaccari, Elisabeth Maria, Hernandez-Arriagada, Giovanna L, Martins, Eduardo Lacaz, Prearo, Célia A L, Corim, Simone Miwa, Martins, Marilena dos Anjos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo 01.07.2002; Instituto de Medicina Tropical; Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
• Subjects: Aged; Cryptococcosis - microbiology; Cryptococcus neoformans - isolation & purification; Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii; Cutaneous cryptococcosis; Dermatomycoses - microbiology; Humans; Immunocompetent patient; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Serotype B; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Immunocompetent patient; Serotype B; Cutaneous cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii
• ISSN: 0036-4665; 1678-9946; 0036-4665; 1678-9946
• DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652002000400008

The authors report a male patient, a seller with no detected immunosuppression, with an extensive ulcerated skin lesion localized on the left forearm, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii serotype B. Oral treatment with fluconazole was successful. A review of the literature showed the rarity of this localization in HIV-negative patients. In contrast, skin lesions frequently occurs in HIV-positive patients, with Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans serotype A predominating as the etiological agent. In this paper, the pathogenicity of C. neoformans to skin lesions in patients immunocompromised or not, is discussed, showing the efficacy of fluconazole for the treatment of these processes.