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Published on: September 14, 2019
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A case of orbital cryptococcosis.
Elahhe Rebecca Afkhamnejad1, Catherine Turner2, David Reynoso2
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, 700 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
|February 28, 2023
Summary
This case report details the first instance of Cryptococcus neoformans orbital infection in an immunocompetent patient. Prompt multidisciplinary care was crucial for preserving vision and life.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Mycology
Background:
- Orbital infections typically arise from contiguous spread or systemic dissemination.
- Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungus rarely implicated in orbital disease, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
Observation:
- A rare case of primary orbital cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is presented.
- The patient was apparently immunocompetent, challenging typical assumptions about risk factors.
Findings:
- Successful management required a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach involving ophthalmology, neurosurgery, pathology, and infectious diseases.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention were key to salvaging both the patient's vision and life.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for Cryptococcus neoformans to cause primary orbital infections even in immunocompetent hosts.
- Orbital cryptococcosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for orbital masses of unknown origin.
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