Disseminated cryptococcosis in an apparently immunocompetent patient presenting with primary intraventricular...

Disseminated cryptococcosis is uncommon and almost always occurs in HIV-infected patients. However, cryptococcosis can also be found in patients of organ transplantation, in those on disease modifying agents for rheumatological conditions and in patients with underlying immunodeficiency. Cryptococcal infection may occur in an immunocompetent patient, but the pathogenic strain is usually Cryptococcus gattii, and not C. neoformans. However, disseminated disease, especially cerebral involvement in the form of primary intraventricular haemorrhage, is exceedingly rare. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis with cutaneous, cerebral and bone marrow involvement in an HIV-negative, apparently immunocompetent patient. Although the patient did not have the usual immunocompromising diseases, there were clinical signs possibly indicating a weakened immune system. This report highlights the need for awareness of disseminated cryptococcosis among patients with no apparent immunocompromising conditions.