[A case of colonic cryptococcosis]

We experienced a rare case of colonic cryptococcosis in an apparently immunocompetent individual. A 27-year- old woman admitted our hospital for intermittent melena. Initial abdominal CT scan revealed a mass lesion obstructing most of the lumen in ascending colon. Colonoscopy showed huge ulcerofungating mass in proximal ascending colon. Colonoscopic biopsy was performed and pathologic diagnosis was made as colonic cryptococcosis with positive PAS stain. Laboratory test evaluating immune status and bone marrow examination was normal. The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B for four weeks and six months of oral fluconazole afterwards. Follow-up abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy were taken at four weeks and seven months after the beginning of treatment. On completion of intravenous amphotericin B treatment, the mass lesion was decreased in abdominal CT and colonoscopy. After seven months, abdominal CT and colonoscopy showed near-complete resolution of the colonic lesion so the treatment ended. Cryptococcosis in a healthy individual is a rare disease and there have been only several sporadic case reports on pulmonary or central nervous system involvement. Hence, we report a case of colonic cryptococcosis in an apparently immunocompetent individual.