We report a 46-year-old male who developed cellulitis of his third right finger after being injured with a metallic object. Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans was isolated from both the skin and the metallic object. Systemic cryptococcosis and immunosuppression was excluded by appropriate tests. Complete healing was achieved after 10 months of itraconazole 100 mg/12 h and surgical excision of the remaining lesion. Our literature review shows another 16 cases of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in nonimmunocompromised hosts. The clinical, mycological and therapeutic characteristics of these patients are reviewed.

To determine the tick species that bite humans in the province of Soria (Spain) and ascertain the tick-borne pathogens that threaten people's health in that province, 185 tick specimens were collected from 179 patients who sought medical advice at health-care centres. The ticks were identified, and their DNA examined by PCR for pathogens. Most ticks were collected in autumn and spring (59 and 57 respectively). Nine species of ticks were identified, the most frequent being Dermacentor marginatus (55.7%), Ixodes ricinus (12.4%) and Rhipicephalus bursa (11.9%). Ninety-seven females, 66 males, 21 nymphs and one larva were identified. Twenty-six ticks carried DNA from Rickettsia spp. (11 Rickettsia slovaca, 6 Rickettsia spp. RpA4/DnS14, 1 Rickettsia massiliae/Bar29, and 8 unidentified); two ticks carried DNA from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and seven ticks harboured DNA from Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

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The incidence of tuberculosis in humans due to Mycobacterium caprae is very low and is almost confined to Europe. We report a case of a previously healthy 41-year-old Moroccan with a 6 month history of abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue and diarrhea. A diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis due to M. caprae was made.

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