Early onset primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in a renal transplant patient

Abstract

We report a case of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in a post-renal transplant patient. A 65-year-old male renal transplant patient was admitted to the hospital with a low grade fever of 1 month, radiologically mimicking tuberculosis (TB). Broncho-alveolar fluid (BAL) shows capsulated yeast, and Cryptococcus neoformans was grown on culture supported by cytology and histopathological examination. Cryptococcal antigen was positive (32-fold) in serum and was negative in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient was given amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine and clinical improvement was seen on a weekly follow up. The serum cryptococcal antigen test might contribute to the early detection and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis. The results of antifungal susceptibility were aid in selecting the drug of choice for treatment.

A Rare Case of Isolated Pulmonary Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompromised Host

“…Of note, in one study, the mortality rate of cryptococcosis in countries where ART is available was found to be 15-20%, compared to a mortality rate of 32% in countries without readily accessible ART, such as Uganda [16][17]. It is important to note that the use of ART in HIV patients is essential for avoiding relapse of cryptococcal meningitis.…”

Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Fungal Infections in Clinical Samples of Suspected Superficial Fungal Infections

“…Deeper fragments which included crusty deposits from the junction of nail were collected with the help of sterile scissors or nail clippers. These were used for microscopy as well as culture [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…All culture slants were examined routinely for presence of fungal growth with respect to the colonial appearance like size, surface, color, margin, texture, diffusion of pigmenting the media. Findings were recorded weekly for a period of 3 weeks & negative cultures were discarded after 3 weeks [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…Microscopic morphology of fungi positive culture slants were studied by following methods [12][13][14][15].…”

“… By Wet Mount-a small portion of the colony of the test fungi was placed in a drop of saline. This preparation was teased & observed under microscope for morphological study of fungi [11][12][13][14][15].…”