Related Experiment Videos

A soft tissue lesion on the scalp as a peculiar source of disseminated cryptococcosi

C H Ding1, A A Wahab1, N A Abd Rahman1

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tropical Biomedicine
|August 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights a rare instance of disseminated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent man, originating from a scalp lesion. Prompt antifungal treatment led to a full recovery without neurological deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection, often opportunistic.
  • Disseminated cases can be fatal, posing significant clinical challenges.
  • Scalp lesions as a primary source of disseminated cryptococcosis are rare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a unique case of disseminated cryptococcosis.
  • To highlight the potential for unusual primary infection sites.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering fungal infections in seemingly immunocompetent individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical presentation and examination of a middle-aged male patient.
  • Diagnostic workup including cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and scalp nodule cultures.
  • Treatment with a 10-week course of antifungal therapy.

Main Results:

  • Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from CSF, blood, and a scalp nodule.
  • Diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis with the scalp lesion as the primary source.
  • Successful treatment with complete resolution of symptoms and no neurological deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Disseminated cryptococcosis can occur in immunocompetent hosts.
  • Scalp lesions may serve as an unusual primary site for fungal dissemination.
  • Early diagnosis and comprehensive antifungal therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Leishmaniasis01:30

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...