Cryptococcal infection of the spine. A case report

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Osseous infections are typically bacterial.
• Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
• Vertebral involvement in cryptococcosis is exceptionally rare, particularly in immunocompetent hosts.

Observation:

• A pediatric patient presented with paraplegia.
• Imaging revealed vertebral abnormalities.
• Cultures confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans infection of the spine.

Findings:

• The case demonstrates a rare instance of Cryptococcus neoformans causing vertebral osteomyelitis.
• Fungal vertebral infection led to spinal cord compression and neurological deficit (paraplegia).
• This highlights the potential for disseminated cryptococcosis to affect the skeletal system.

Implications:

• Cryptococcal vertebral infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric spinal infections, even in the absence of known immunosuppression.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy are crucial to prevent severe neurological sequelae.
• This case expands the understanding of the clinical spectrum of Cryptococcus neoformans infections.