Clinical Evaluation of Diagnosis and Treatment in Three Cases of Primary Pulmonary Cryptococcosis

• Published in: Nihon Kyōbu Shikkan Gakkai zasshi Vol. 31; no. 10; pp. 1257 - 1261
• Main Authors: Semba, Hiroshi, Nakamura, Hiroyuki, Fukai, Yuuji, Kashiwabara, Kousuke
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan The Japanese Respiratory Society 01.10.1993
• Subjects: Adult; Antimycotic agent; Cryptococcosis - diagnosis; Cryptococcosis - drug therapy; Female; Fluconazole - therapeutic use; Humans; Lung - microbiology; Lung - pathology; Lung Diseases, Fungal - diagnosis; Lung Diseases, Fungal - drug therapy; Male; Miconazole - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Percutaneous needle aspiration; Primary pulmonary cryptococcosis; Radiography, Thoracic; Transbronchial lung biopsy
• ISSN: 0301-1542; 1883-471X
• DOI: 10.11389/jjrs1963.31.1257

Pulmonary cryptococcosis has been considered as a disease associated with depressed immune function of the host. However, it may develop in healthy individuals without any underlying disease. Recently, we experienced three cases of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis. Case 1. A 30-year-old woman in the sixth week postpartum developed cough and low-grade fever. Chest X-ray showed infiltrative shadows in right S2 and left S6. A diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis was made from transbronchial brushings and histological examination. Case 2. A 51-year-old man was noted to have abnormal shadows on chest X-ray film at a regular medical checkup. Chest X-ray examination showed a small nodular density in left S9. A diagnosis of pulmonary crytococcosis was made from percutaneous pulmonary paracentesis. Case 3. A 58-year-old man was noted to have an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film at a regular medical checkup. Chest X-ray examiantion showed a nodular density in right S8. A diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis was made from transbronchial brushings and histological examination. All three cases showed no impairment in their immune functions. These cases are described with a discussion of the literature.