title: Primary cryptococcal cellulitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii in an immunocompetent host.
abstract: Primary cutaneous cryptococcal infection is uncommon. The cutaneous manifestations are most often the result of dissemination from the central nervous system or lung, usually in an immunocompromised host; cellulitis is regarded as the rarest cutaneous form. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis has occasionally been reported in the immunocompetent, the causative organism being Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans. We present a case of cellulitis of the right arm in a 75-year-old man caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, a fungus which is endemic in Australia and an important cause of infection in the immunocompetent. This is the first case described of a primary cutaneous infection due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. The interesting ecology of this organism is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Hamann
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents