Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
03:22

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE

Published on: March 1, 2024

789

Pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patient: a case report

Bin Zhang1, Wei Cao1, Xiu Wu1

  • 1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University Xi'an 710077, Shaanxi, PR China.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology
|January 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is usually opportunistic but can affect healthy individuals. This case highlights PC diagnosis and successful fluconazole treatment in an immunocompetent patient with persistent respiratory symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is an opportunistic infection, typically affecting immunocompromised individuals.
  • Cryptococcus species are fungi that can cause severe lung infections.

Observation:

  • A previously healthy, immunocompetent patient presented with persistent, irritating cough and shortness of breath.
  • Initial antibiotic treatments were ineffective, suggesting a non-bacterial cause.

Findings:

  • Percutaneous transcutaneous biopsy confirmed pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC).
  • Intravenous fluconazole treatment for two weeks resulted in a complete recovery.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of PC presentation in immunocompetent hosts.
  • Highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in unexplained respiratory conditions.
  • Demonstrates the efficacy of fluconazole in treating PC, even in immunocompetent patients.

Keywords:
Pulmonary cryptococcosisimmunocompetentpercutaneous transcutaneous biopsy

More Related Videos

Visualization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients07:25

Visualization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Published on: July 16, 2020

3.5K
Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

28.4K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
769
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
445
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
1.3K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
829
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
492
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
659