title: Cryptococcal cellulitis in a patient on prednisone monotherapy for myasthenia gravis.
abstract: The development of cutaneous cryptococcosis is extremely rare in the human immunodeficiency virus-negative population. The cutaneous manifestations vary greatly, with the rarest presenting as cellulitis. We report a unique case of a 64-year-old woman who had been on prednisone monotherapy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis and subsequently developed cryptococcal cellulitis. This case provides an opportunity to discuss the importance of including cryptococcal cellulitis in the differential diagnosis of cellulitis in a patient on low-dose prednisone who is not responding to empiric antibiotic therapy. Early recognition is crucial as cutaneous manifestations are usually the first sign of disseminated cryptococcosis.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: Laci
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lafleur
authors.forename: Stacy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.forename: Maria Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Colome-Grimmer
authors.forename: Russell A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: LaForte
authors.forename: A Dearl
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Dotson
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000209:etiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone