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Macrophage Cholesterol Depletion and Its Effect on the Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans
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Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis of native valves in an immunocompetent host

Moni Roy1, Sharjeel Ahmad2, Ashish Kumar Roy1

  • 1OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL, USA.

Idcases
|June 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis is rare in healthy individuals. This report details the first known case of native valve Cryptococcus neoformans endocarditis in an immunocompetent host.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased the clinical significance of Cryptococcus neoformans infections.
  • Cryptococcal infections are uncommon in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by fungi is rare, particularly in immunocompetent hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis in a young, immunocompetent male.
  • To highlight the first documented instance of native valve C. neoformans IE in an immunocompetent host.

Main Methods:

  • Case presentation of a young immunocompetent male with C. neoformans IE.
  • Comprehensive literature review of C. neoformans endocarditis cases.

Main Results:

  • The patient was a young, immunocompetent male.
  • This represents the first reported case of native valve C. neoformans IE in an immunocompetent host.
  • Prior reported cases involved immunocompromised patients or prosthetic valves.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis can occur in immunocompetent hosts.
  • This case expands the known clinical spectrum of C. neoformans infections.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the pathogenesis and management of C. neoformans IE in diverse patient populations.

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