A Curious Case of Cryptococcosis: When the Yeast Gets in the Blood and Brain Fluid

Abstract

The present study highlights a case of disseminated cryptococcosis in an immuno-compromised patient. Cryptococcosis is an infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in immunosuppressed patients. Oral lesions associated with cryptococcosis can present as purple nodules of granulation tissue, swelling and ulcers. They can appear on the palate, gingiva and in the tooth socket after extraction. Sometimes the ulcerated lesions associated with Cryptococcosis can be indurated. A 50 year old female patient was admitted to Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Pravara Rural hospital, Loni, a rural tertiary health care centre in Maharashtra; with complains of on and off fever and weakness since about a month. Cryptococcosis, although considered as an AIDS defining disease, doesn’t seem to be reported less from immunocompetent patients. The study would emphasize the importance of early suspicion of cryptococcal infection in AIDS patients; so that early establishment of full laboratory work up and institution of antifungal therapy can be done to improve patient outcomes.