Cryptococcal cellulitis on the shin of an immunosuppressed patient.
Cryptococcus neoformans is a common fungus found throughout the environment that causes opportunistic disease in immunocompromised individuals. Infection of humans with C neoformans usually manifests as lung disease through inhalation of spores or meningoencephalitis by involvement of the central nervous system. Rarely, dissemination in the form of cutaneous lesions can occur in individuals with long term immunosuppression. We present a patient with C. neoformans manifesting as cellulitis with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis treated with corticosteroids. Because of the mortality associated with disseminated cryptococcosis, early identification, especially of atypical cutaneous presentations is critical from a dermatological perspective.
Tian Hao
TH
Zhu
Paola G
PG
Rodriguez
James W
JW
Behan
Brittney
B
Declerck
Departments of Dermatology University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. genekim@usc.edu.
Gene H
GH
Kim
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016469:Fungemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D016572:Cyclosporine; D015725:Fluconazole; D005437:Flucytosine; D011241:Prednisone