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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

Clinical and Investigative Medicine. Medecine Clinique Et Experimentale
|January 31, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

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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