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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
03:22
Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
Published on: March 1, 2024
Pulmonary cryptococcosis in non-AIDS patients
Benquan Wu1, Hui Liu, Jing Huang
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. zswbq@163.com
Summary
Pulmonary cryptococcosis can affect non-AIDS patients, presenting as lung nodules on CT scans. Diagnosis relies on histology, and treatment varies based on disease severity and complications.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pulmonary cryptococcosis is often associated with immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with AIDS.
- Non-AIDS patients can also develop pulmonary cryptococcosis, necessitating a broader understanding of its clinical spectrum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the clinical manifestations and imaging findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in patients without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 15 HIV-negative patients diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis between 1992 and 2008.
- Review of medical records and radiological data, including CT scans, for clinical and imaging characteristics.
Main Results:
- Most patients (13/15) were immunocompetent; only one was asymptomatic.
- Common findings included multiple pulmonary nodules or masses (8 and 5 cases, respectively).
- Two patients died; treatment involved antifungal agents like fluconazole and amphotericin B.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a potential infection in non-AIDS patients.
- Histological examination is crucial for definitive diagnosis.
- CT scans frequently reveal solitary or multiple nodules, sometimes with cavitation, often in subpleural locations.
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