Cryptococcal pericarditis in a heart transplant recipient

Abstract

We present a case of Cryptococcus neoformans pericarditis in a cardiac transplant recipient. This article reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of cryptococcosis specifically in transplant patients. While pericarditis is a rare manifestation of Cryptococcus infection, this case highlights that cryptococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for solid organ transplant and immunocompromised patients presenting with pericardial effusions.

Cryptococcus neoformans endocarditis in an immunocompetentpatient a case report

“…CN heart disease is previously reported as presentation of mycotic endocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiomyopathy [ 5 , 11 , 12 ]. Many prior cases have involved implantable prosthetic cardiac devices (prosthetic valves or AICD’s).…”

Opportunist Coinfections by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria and Fungi in Immunocompromised Patients

“…A distinct situation is the case of airborne microorganisms, such as filamentous fungi (Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Mucor, etc.) and other already mentioned environmental pathogens (H. capsulatum, C. neoformans) colonizing the host via the upper respiratory tract [14,16,17].…”

“…In HIV-Leishmania coinfected patients, visceral leishmaniosis can accelerate disease, decreasing the likelihood of patient survival [41]. C. neoformans and H. capsulatum are the only agents that have been isolated, particularly from immunocompromised individuals [14,16]. Their participation in coinfection is very rare, but Nunez and colleagues reported simultaneous infections in an HIV-negative 69-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type II diabetes mellitus [42].…”

“…and the environmental pathogens (Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, Aspergillus fumigatus, and thermally dimorphic fungi) [11]. Fungi have frequently caused diseases in immunocompromised patients with HIV, cancer, diabetes and patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs [12][13][14][15][16][17]. In a separate category are healthy individuals with flaws in the immune system due to age (children and elderly), antibiotic treatment or pregnancy [18][19][20][21].…”

“…In a separate category are healthy individuals with flaws in the immune system due to age (children and elderly), antibiotic treatment or pregnancy [18][19][20][21]. In addition to common diseases, fungi can cause very serious life-threatening infections [14,16,22,23].…”