Disseminated Cryptococcosis: Case report

Life-threatening infections caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans have been increasing steadily over the past 20 years because of the onset of AIDS and the expanded use of immunosuppressive drugs. The incidence of Cryptococcal infection is higher among patients living with AIDS in Africa and Southeast Asia. After the lungs and CNS infection, the next most commonly involved organs in disseminated cryptococcosis are the skin, prostate and medullary cavity of the bones. The diagnosis is established by the isolation of organism in culture, histopathology, or detection of its polysaccharide capsular antigen. The acute mortality rate for HIV infected patients is 10-25%; most deaths are attributable to cryptococcal meningitis.