Coexistent oral cryptococcosis and Kaposi's sarcoma in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

As experience with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has grown during the last decade, it has become important to recognize interactions between the opportunistic infections and malignancies that complicate the course of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Our recent experience as described in this paper reveals that Kaposi's sarcoma and cryptococcal infection can associate in such a manner. The first reported case of oral Cryptococcus neoformans infection within a Kaposi's sarcoma lesion in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is described. Based on the clinical course of this patient, it is an important consideration that the sarcoma may have harbored and even protected the fungus during systemic amphotericin B therapy.