Cutaneous cryptococcosis in a patient taking fingolimod for multiple sclerosis: Here come the opportunistic
Adam F Carpenter1, Shikha J Goodwin1, Peter F Bornstein2
1Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA/Brain Sciences Center, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Background:
Fingolimod is an oral disease-modifying therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, which acts by sequestering lymphocytes within lymph nodes.
Objective:
To describe a case of extrapulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient taking fingolimod.
Methods:
Case report.
Results:
A 47-year-old man developed a non-healing skin lesion approximately 16 months after starting treatment with fingolimod. Biopsy revealed cryptococcosis. Fingolimod was discontinued and the lesion resolved with antifungal therapy.
Conclusion:
Despite few reported opportunistic infections in the pivotal clinical trials and first few years post-marketing, there has been a recent increase in reported AIDS-defining illnesses in patients taking fingolimod. Neurologists should be alert for opportunistic infections in their patients using this medication.
Related Concept Videos
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
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...


