title: Disseminated cryptococcosis manifested as a single tumor in an immunocompetent patient, similar to the cutaneous primary forms.
abstract: Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans that tends to affect immunocompromised individuals. The fungi are mostly acquired by inhalation, which leads to an initial pulmonary infection. Later, other organs - such as the central nervous system and the skin - can be affected by hematogenous spread. In addition, cutaneous contamination can occur by primary inoculation after injuries (primary cutaneous cryptococcosis), whose diagnosis is defined based on the absence of systemic involvement. The clinical presentation of cutaneous forms typically vary according to the infection mode. We report an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient with cutaneous lesions similar to those caused by primary inoculation. This clinical picture leads us to question the definition of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis established in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Oeste Paulista (Unoeste) - Presidente Prudente (SP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Danielle Mechereffe do
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Oeste Paulista (Unoeste) - Presidente Prudente (SP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Ritha de Cássia Capelato
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Oeste Paulista (Unoeste) - Presidente Prudente (SP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Euribel Prestes
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) - São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Dewton Moraes
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Oeste Paulista (Unoeste) - Presidente Prudente (SP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abreu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology