Highlights
- •Cryptococcosis is a potentially fatal fungal infection that has a good prognosis if it is recognized and treated early.
- •Typically, cryptococcosis is associated with the immunocompromised patient. However, there are increasing reports that the immunocompetent population can be infected by this yeast as well.
- •This is the first reported case of infection by Cryptoccoccus spp. in an immunocompetent host, successfully mimicking a diagnosis of primary lung carcinoma with brain metastases. This clinical scenario demonstrates that disseminated cryptococcosis can successfully mimic other more common disease states.
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus spp. that enters the body via inhalation. This ubiquitous yeast has gained notoriety
as an opportunistic pathogen in the immunosuppressed population. The authors report
a case of a previously-well adult male presented with left-sided weakness. Imaging
demonstrated a pulmonary mass and 2 contrast-enhancing intracranial lesions—all features
suggestive of a primary lung carcinoma with brain metastases. However, further investigations
confirmed disseminated cryptococcosis, without evidence of malignancy. The patient
was successfully treated with a course of antifungals. To the authors’ knowledge,
this is the first reported case of dissemintated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent
adult male, simulating as primary lung carcinoma with brain metastases.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 18, 2016
Accepted:
September 26,
2016
Received:
July 13,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
