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Cryptococcus laurentii Diarrhea in a Neoplastic Patient
Franco Calista1, Federica Tomei1, Pasquale Assalone1
1Medical Oncology Unit, ASReM, "F. Veneziale Hospital Isernia", Via S. Ippolito No. 1, 86170 Isernia, Italy.
Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
|February 19, 2015
Summary
This case study details a rare Cryptococcus laurentii infection causing diarrhea and neutropenia in an elderly patient undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic rectal cancer. It highlights an unusual opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cryptococcus laurentii is an opportunistic fungal pathogen rarely implicated in human infections.
- Metastatic rectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are immunocompromised, increasing susceptibility to infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first documented case of diarrhea and neutropenia caused by Cryptococcus laurentii in a patient with metastatic rectal cancer.
- To highlight the potential for rare fungal infections in immunocompromised cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 74-year-old male patient with metastatic rectal cancer and hepatic metastases.
- Patient received FOLFOX plus Cetuximab chemotherapy.
- Clinical presentation and diagnostic workup for diarrhea and neutropenia were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The patient developed diarrhea and neutropenia during chemotherapy.
- Infection with Cryptococcus laurentii was identified as the cause.
- This represents the first reported instance of C. laurentii causing these symptoms in this clinical context.
Conclusions:
- Cryptococcus laurentii can cause significant gastrointestinal and hematological complications in immunocompromised patients.
- Clinicians should consider rare fungal pathogens in the differential diagnosis of unexplained symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing opportunistic infections in oncology.
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