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Cryptococcal parotid involvement: an uncommon localization of Cryptococcus neoformans.
A Serda Kantarcioğlu1, Mustafa Gulenc, Ayhan Yücel
1Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. s.kantarcioglu@superonline.com
Medical Mycology
|May 17, 2006
Summary
This study reports a rare case of parotid gland cryptococcal infection in an immunocompetent woman. Treatment with fluconazole successfully resolved the infection and symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Cryptococcal infections typically affect immunocompromised individuals.
- Parotid gland fungal infections are uncommon.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old woman presented with a painful parotid mass.
- A history of facial trauma and denture contamination with soil containing chicken droppings was noted.
- Histopathology and cultures confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans infection.
Findings:
- The patient had a localized, non-disseminated primary parotid infection.
- Cryptococcus neoformans isolates were susceptible in vitro to fluconazole, amphotericin B, and flucytosine.
- Six months of fluconazole treatment led to symptom resolution.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential route of non-disseminated fungal infection via oral trauma.
- It underscores the importance of considering fungal etiologies in parotid masses, even in healthy individuals.
- This is the first reported case of primary parotid cryptococcosis due to C. neoformans.