Cryptococcal panniculitis in a renal transplant recipient: case report and review of literature.

Background: Cryptococcosis is a deep fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. The infection usually involves the lungs, the central nervous system as well as the skin, the bones and the urinary tract. Immunocompromised individuals, including solid organ transplant recipients, are at higher risk for cryptococcal infections.

Main observations: We present a 40-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed a slightly painful, erythematous, indurated plaque on his thigh several years after a kidney transplant. Histopathology revealed cryptococcal panniculitis and cryptococcus neoformans subsequently grew from the tissue culture. There was no other systemic involvement.

Conclusion: The primary cutaneous form of cryptococcosis is extremely rare and early diagnosis and treatment is essential in view of possible dissemination and variable nonspecific clinical manifestations.