Cutaneous cryptococcosis simulating Kaposi's sarcoma in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

A forty-one-year-old homosexual man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and biopsy proven Kaposi's sarcoma of the oral cavity presented to our clinic with a several month history of violaceous papules and plaques on his trunk and extremities. Although the patient already carried a clinical diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma, several biopsies of skin lesions were performed. Tissue specimens demonstrated cutaneous infection with Cryptococcus neoformans. As patients with AIDS have an increased incidence of both Kaposi's sarcoma and opportunistic infections, all progressing lesions should be biopsied in order to avoid missing a treatable life-threatening disease.