HIV infection presenting as bone marrow cryptococcosis
Arpana Dharwadkar1, Shruti Vimal1, Archana C Buch1
1Department of Pathology, Pad Dr DY Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract:
Disseminated cryptococcal infection is an uncommon initial manifestation in immunocompromised patients. We report a rare case of a 40-year-old female presenting with fever and burning epigastrium. Peripheral blood film revealed a leukoerythroblastic picture with thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration showed granulomas along with cryptococcal yeast forms. The ELISA test for detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigen was positive. Disseminated cryptococcosis can develop as the first manifestation of HIV infection in previously healthy individuals and granulomas in such bone marrow aspiration smears are a valuable clue to an underlying opportunistic infection.
Related Concept Videos
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
Sexually Transmitted Infections

