Incidental Cryptococcal lung mass in an immunocompetent patient

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Cryptococcus is an encapsulated fungus causing disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent hosts usually presents with mild symptoms and small pulmonary nodules.
• Atypical presentations of fungal infections can mimic other pulmonary pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of pulmonary cryptococcal infection presenting as a large lung mass.
• To emphasize the importance of considering fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of lung masses, even in immunocompetent patients.
• To contribute to the understanding of varied clinical and radiographic presentations of Cryptococcus in diverse host populations.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 31-year-old male patient.
• Review of clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and diagnostic workup.
• Histopathological and microbiological confirmation of pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Main Results:

• The patient was immunocompetent with no underlying predisposing conditions.
• Radiographic imaging revealed a large lung mass, an atypical finding for cryptococcosis in this population.
• Diagnosis was confirmed via microbiological and histopathological examination.

Conclusions:

• Pulmonary cryptococcosis can present as a large lung mass even in immunocompetent hosts.
• This case expands the spectrum of radiographic findings associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis.
• Clinicians should consider Cryptococcus in the differential diagnosis of lung masses regardless of immune status.