Pulmonary cryptococcosis and Cushing's syndrome

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Cushing's syndrome is characterized by excessive corticosteroid production.
• Cushing's syndrome can impair immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections.

Observation:

• Two patients with Cushing's syndrome presented with pulmonary infiltrates.
• These patients were diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Findings:

• Both patients were successfully treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine.
• Endogenous corticosteroid excess likely predisposed them to this opportunistic fungal infection.

Implications:

• Pulmonary infiltrates in Cushing's syndrome patients warrant investigation for Cryptococcus neoformans.
• Consider screening for ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone production in such cases.