Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
Published on: March 1, 2024
Disseminated Cryptococcosis Presenting as Miliary Lung Shadows in an Immunocompetent Child
Javed Ismail1, Muthu Chidambaram1, Jhuma Sankar1
1Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Disseminated cryptococcosis is infrequent in immunocompetent children. Pulmonary and central nervous system are the commonly involved sites of infection in an immunocompromised host. We report a fatal case of disseminated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent host presenting as fever of unknown origin with miliary shadows on chest radiograph, mimicking tuberculosis. In countries with the heavy burden of tuberculosis, a high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis of its close mimics like disseminated cryptococcosis.
Insights
Disseminated cryptococcosis is rare in healthy children. This case highlights the importance of considering this fungal infection, even in immunocompetent individuals, when symptoms mimic tuberculosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Disseminated cryptococcosis is uncommon in immunocompetent children.
- Pulmonary and central nervous system involvement are typical in immunocompromised patients.
Observation:
- A fatal case of disseminated cryptococcosis occurred in an immunocompetent child.
- The presentation mimicked tuberculosis with fever of unknown origin and miliary shadows on chest X-ray.
Findings:
- Disseminated cryptococcosis can present atypically in immunocompetent hosts.
- Radiographic findings like miliary shadows can resemble tuberculosis.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis is crucial, especially in tuberculosis-endemic regions.
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for cryptococcosis mimics in pediatric fever of unknown origin cases.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
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...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...

