Disseminated Cryptococcosis with Cutaneous Manifestation in a Renal Transplant Recipient: A Case Report.
10.4285/jkstn.2013.27.3.132
- Author:
Sang Ki LEE
1
;
Hae Su KIM
;
Jung Gyu LEE
;
Jong Min CHOI
;
In Sub JUNG
;
Ji Young YHI
;
Soon Woo HWANG
;
Chang Hwa LEE
;
Oh Jung KWON
;
Chong Myung KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kangjm@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Kidney transplantation;
Cryptococcosis;
Fungal infection
- MeSH:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome;
Amphotericin B;
Arm;
Biopsy;
Cellulitis;
Cough;
Cryptococcosis;
Cryptococcus neoformans;
Cyclosporine;
Edema;
Fever;
Fluconazole;
HIV;
Humans;
Immunocompromised Host;
Immunosuppression;
Kidney Transplantation;
Length of Stay;
Middle Aged;
Mycophenolic Acid;
Pneumonia;
Prednisolone;
Skin;
Sputum;
Thorax;
Transplants
- From:The Journal of the Korean Society for Transplantation
2013;27(3):132-137
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Cryptococcosis commonly affects patients with immune dysfunction, as in the case of immunosuppression in organ transplant patients or as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in patients afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus. The varied appearance of cryptococcal skin lesion makes clinical diagnosis of cutaneous cryptococcosis difficult. Cryptococcosis proves to be a fatal fungal infection in the immunocompromised patient. Therefore, diagnosis and early treatment of cryptococcosis become vital. A 56-year-old renal transplant recipient, with an ongoing immunosuppression regimen of cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil, was admitted with a 2-week history of pain and edema of right arm without respiratory symptoms. Despite empiric antibiotic therapy, the patient continued to complain of severe tenderness of the involved arm and fever persisted as well. On the third day of hospital stay, a biopsy of the erythematous skin lesion was acquired. On the eighth day of hospital stay, results of both skin biopsy and blood cultures showed the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans. The treatment was begun with intravenous fluconazole (400 mg/day). After 4 days of antifungal treatment, the patient developed fever along with cough with purulent sputum. As the new developing symptoms were suggestive of pneumonia, especially of pulmonary cryptococcosis, the antifungal agent was changed from fluconazole to amphotericin B treatment (0.8 mg/kg, 50 mg/day). Chest computer tomography showed improvement in the pneumonic infiltration and consolidation after 4 weeks of amphotericin B treatment. In conclusion, cellulitis in immunocompromised patients should be suspected in case of highly atypical infectious etiology, and skin biopsy should not be delayed if empiric antibiotic therapy does not control the inflammatory response. Additionally, the patient should be treated with intravenous amphotericin B treatment in case of severe cryptococcosis.
