Fatal fungaemia due to Cryptococcus albidus in an elderly diabetic woman presenting with pleural effusion

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Diabetology

Background:

• Pulmonary cryptococcosis typically presents with respiratory symptoms.
• Infections caused by non-neoformans Cryptococcus species are exceptionally rare.
• Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for invasive fungal infections.

Observation:

• An elderly female patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with pleural effusion as the sole clinical manifestation.
• Fungaemia, a bloodstream infection, was diagnosed.
• The causative agent was identified as Cryptococcus albidus.

Findings:

• This case represents an uncommon presentation of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
• It is an extremely rare instance of fungaemia caused by Cryptococcus albidus.
• The patient's fatal outcome underscores the potential severity of Cryptococcus albidus infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Implications:

• This case expands the spectrum of fungal pathogens causing disseminated mycosis in diabetic patients.
• It highlights the importance of considering rare fungal agents in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, especially in diabetic individuals.
• Further research into Cryptococcus albidus pathogenicity in immunocompromised hosts is warranted.