Pulmonary cryptococcus infection after mono-chemotherapy with gemcitabine.
Mono-chemotherapy with gemcitabine (difluorodeoxycytidine) is an effective cancer chemotherapy, and is often used instead of a more effective but more toxic combination chemotherapy regimen. Infection associated with gemcitabine is very rare. We present a case of Cryptococcus neoformans pneumonia that developed after 5 courses of gemcitabine for advanced bladder carcinoma. Lung biopsy and antigens demonstrated C. neoformans. The pneumonia resolved after antifungal therapy.
Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China.
Yu-Guang
YG
Chen
Te-Yu
TY
Lin
Gen-Min
GM
Lin
Jung-Chung
JC
Lin
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine