Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
03:22

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE

Published on: March 1, 2024

1.3K

Cryptococcal meningitis presenting with headache and a pustular eruption in a heart transplant patient

S A Farber1, R G Micheletti2

  • 1Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Transplant Infectious Disease : an Official Journal of the Transplantation Society
|July 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

A heart transplant patient developed skin lesions and disseminated cryptococcosis, leading to cryptococcal meningitis. This case highlights skin manifestations as crucial indicators of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Transplant Medicine

Background:

  • Cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.
  • Heart transplant recipients are at increased risk due to long-term immunosuppression.

Observation:

  • A heart transplant recipient presented with unexplained cutaneous lesions.
  • Tzanck smear of skin lesions revealed fungal elements consistent with Cryptococcus.
  • The patient subsequently developed cryptococcal meningitis.

Findings:

  • Disseminated cryptococcosis was diagnosed based on skin lesions and confirmed by fungal culture.
  • The progression from cutaneous lesions to meningitis underscores the systemic nature of the infection.

Implications:

  • Cutaneous manifestations can serve as an early diagnostic window for systemic cryptococcosis in transplant patients.
  • Prompt recognition and management of skin lesions are vital for preventing severe outcomes like meningitis.
  • This case emphasizes the need for vigilance in monitoring immunocompromised patients for atypical infections.
Keywords:
Cryptococcus neoformanscutaneous cryptococcosisdisseminated cryptococcosisheart transplantationsarcoidosis

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients05:26

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients

Published on: March 1, 2024

2.3K
Murine Full-thickness Skin Transplantation07:59

Murine Full-thickness Skin Transplantation

Published on: January 2, 2017

21.7K

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
807
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
892
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management01:21

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
507
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
30
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
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...
1.5K
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
455