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...

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Main Authors: Danielle Mechereffe do Amaral, Ritha de Cássia Capelato Rocha, Luiz Euribel Prestes Carneiro, Dewton Moraes Vasconcelos, Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de Abreu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 2016-10-01
Series:Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-05962016001100029&tlng=en
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0365-0596