Cryptococcal panniculitis in an immunocompromised patient: a case report and review of the literature

Cryptococcus neoformans is a dimorphic fungus known to cause disease predominately in immuno-compromised patients. It is not uncommon for cryptococcal disease to manifest within the cutaneous tissues of these patients, and it can have drastically varied presentations, from ulcerated nodules to a mor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCutis (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 85; no. 6; p. 303
Main Authors Abuav, Rachel, McGirt, Laura Y, Kazin, Rebecca A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.2010
Subjects
Cryptococcosis - diagnosis
Cryptococcosis - etiology
Cryptococcus neoformans - isolation & purification
Dermatomycoses - diagnosis
Dermatomycoses - etiology
Heart Transplantation
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use
Male
Middle Aged
Panniculitis - diagnosis
Panniculitis - etiology
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Summary:Cryptococcus neoformans is a dimorphic fungus known to cause disease predominately in immuno-compromised patients. It is not uncommon for cryptococcal disease to manifest within the cutaneous tissues of these patients, and it can have drastically varied presentations, from ulcerated nodules to a more subtle cellulitis. We present a patient who underwent a cardiac transplant and developed a fever and mildly erythematous, indurated plaques on his legs and flank several years later. Skin biopsy revealed cryptococcal panniculitis and C neoformans subsequently grew from both the biopsy culture and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This case report highlights the varied and subtle presentations of cutaneous cryptococcosis in immunocompromised patients and encourages a high index of suspicion for this potentially fatal disease in the setting of immunosuppression.
ISSN:0011-4162