Isolation of Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus in patient with pemphigus foliaceus

Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus was isolated from the blood of a patient with pemphigus foliaceus after steroid therapy. This organism was found in triple extract peptone medium which is used in our laboratory for blood culture to detect aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Identification of Cryptococcus was made by the API 20C yeast carbohydrate assimilation test, together with conventional procedures. These include the demonstration of chlamydospore production, germ tube test, urease test, nitrate assimilation test and colony morphology. The patient infected with Cryptococcus albidus var albidus had a good response to oral ketoconazole therapy, then the recovered and was discharged. The isolate obtained from this case may be regarded as an etiologic agent in fungemia.