Pleural cryptococcosis in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Pleural cryptococcosis is extremely rare. We report the first case of cryptococcal pleural effusion in association with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Pleural effusion without the evidence of pulmonary parenchymal involvement was the initial and only clinical finding leading to the diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis. The pleural effusion resolved spontaneously prior to amphotericin B therapy.