Cutaneous cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus gattii in a patient on chronic corticotherapy.
Cryptococcus gattii causes a form of endemic mycosis that most commonly affects the lungs and central nervous system of immunocompetent patients living in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Case report. A 66-year-old man who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease without HIV infection and had been on systemic corticotherapy for several years developed extensive ulceration of the left forearm that was associated with ipsilateral supraclavicular adenomegaly, consequent to infection with Cryptococcus gattii. The patient was treated with fluconazole 400mg/day for eight months, which led to complete healing of the lesion. This case emphasizes that, although rare, C. gattii may cause opportunistic cutaneous-lymphatic infection in patients living in the southeastern region of Brazil who are immunocompromised through chronic corticotherapy.
Bellissimo-Rodrigues
Fernando
F
Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University Center Barão de Mauá, Ribeirão Preto, SP. fbellissimo@ig.com.br
Baciotti
Maysa
M
Zanatto
Maria Paula
MP
Silva
Jaqueline Otero
JO
Martins
Marilena Dos Anjos
Mdos A
Martinez
Roberto
R
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D056285:Cryptococcus gattii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole