Unusual morphologies of Cryptococcus spp. in tissue specimens: report of 10 cases.
Ten cases of cryptococcosis due to unusual microscopic forms of Cryptococcus sp. observed over a twenty-eight year period (1981-2009) are presented. The most important clinicopathological and laboratory data are tabulated. The uncommon forms of cryptococcal cells given are: structures resembling germ tube (one case), chains of budding yeasts (one case), pseudohyphae (two cases) and nonencapsulated yeast-like organisms (eight cases). The diagnosis was based on the histopathological findings. The causative organism was isolated and identified in seven cases; five were due to C. neoformans, and two to C. gattii. In addition, the importance of using staining histochemical techniques - Grocott's silver stain (GMS), Mayer's mucicarmine stain (MM) and Fontana-Masson stain (FM) - in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis is argued.
Gazzoni
Alexandra Flávia
AF
Pathologic Anatomy Unit, Medical School, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain.
Oliveira
Flávio de Mattos
Fde M
Salles
Emily Ferreira
EF
Mayayo
Emilio
E
Guarro
Josep
J
Capilla
Javier
J
Severo
Luiz Carlos
LC
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies