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Cutaneous cryptococcosis: treatment with oral fluconazole
D Shuttleworth1, C M Philpot, A G Knight
1Department of Medicine, (Dermatology), University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, U.K.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|May 1, 1989
Summary
This case study details a rare fungal infection, cutaneous cryptococcosis, in an immunocompromised patient. Oral fluconazole effectively treated the lesions, marking the first report of its use for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cutaneous cryptococcosis is a rare fungal infection, often presenting in immunocompromised individuals.
- Diagnosis can be challenging, with initial lesions sometimes misdiagnosed as neoplastic or other skin conditions.
Observation:
- A patient with a compromised immune system developed a hand lesion after trauma, followed by satellite subcutaneous lesions on the forearm in a sporotrichoid pattern.
- The lesions were initially suspected to be neoplastic.
Findings:
- Treatment with oral fluconazole led to the complete resolution of all cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions.
- This case represents the first documented use of fluconazole for treating cutaneous cryptococcosis.
Implications:
- Oral fluconazole is a viable and effective treatment option for cutaneous cryptococcosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- This finding expands treatment options for this rare fungal infection and highlights the importance of considering fungal causes in immunocompromised patients with unusual skin lesions.