title: Disseminated Cryptococcal Infection Resulting in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as the Initial Clinical Presentation of AIDS.
abstract: Cryptococcosis is a cosmopolitan but rare opportunistic mycosis which is usually caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Although the most common and worrisome disease manifestation is meningoencephalitis, pulmonary cryptococcosis has the potential to be lethal. The diagnosis of cryptococcal pneumonia is challenging, given its non-specific clinical and radiographic features. Respiratory failure leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of cryptococcal disease has been infrequently addressed in the literature. We herein present a case of disseminated cryptococcal infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, refractory shock, and multiorgan dysfunction as the initial clinical manifestation in a patient who was newly diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, USA.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orsini
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blaak
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Salil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajayer
authors.forename: Joaquin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morante
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*