Cutaneous manifestations of systemic cryptococcosis in immunosupressed patients

Since its discovery 100 years ago, the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans has been implicated in systemic infections of many immunocompromised patients and has been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in AIDS patients. Clinical symptoms are often initially subtle or lacking. Cutaneous involvement often carries a dismal prognosis as it is usually a sign of dissemination. However, lesions may develop before any systemic or constitutional symptomatology, and despite their non specific appearance, are easily accessible for scrapings, biopsies and cultures. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance in high risk individuals to avoid delaying the diagnosis and treatment.