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[Cutaneous and lymphatic cryptococcosis after transient lymphopenia in an immunocompetent patient]
Insights
This case report details cryptococcosis in an 82-year-old immunocompetent woman with temporary lymphopenia due to bacterial pneumonia. The fungal infection resolved with fluconazole after pneumonia treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Mycology
Background:
- Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection typically seen in immunocompromised individuals.
- It rarely affects patients with a competent immune system.
Observation:
- An 82-year-old woman presented with bacterial pneumonia and concurrent lymphopenia.
- During hospitalization, she developed cutaneous and ganglionar cryptococcosis.
- No other immunosuppressive factors were identified.
Findings:
- Lymphopenia resolved spontaneously with the successful antibiotic treatment of bacterial pneumonia.
- The patient's cryptococcosis was effectively treated with fluconazole over two months.
- This represents the first reported instance of cryptococcosis following transient lymphopenia in an immunocompetent host.
Implications:
- Highlights a potential, albeit rare, link between transient lymphopenia and opportunistic infections like cryptococcosis in immunocompetent individuals.
- Suggests careful monitoring for opportunistic infections in immunocompetent patients experiencing unexplained lymphopenia.
- Underscores the importance of addressing underlying conditions, such as bacterial pneumonia, to resolve associated immunosuppression and secondary infections.
Introduction:
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection, that rarely occurs in immunocompetent patients.
Case Report:
We report a case of a 82 year-old woman who suffered from a bacterial pneumonia associated with lymphopenia. During the hospitalisation, she developed a cutaneous and ganglionnary cryptococcosis. No other cause of immunosuppression was found. The lymphopenia disappeared with the healing of the pneumonia treated with systemic antibiotics. Treatment with fluconazole was effective in 2 months on the cryptococcosis.
Comments:
To our knowledge, this is the first case of cryptococcosis after a transitory lymphopenia, occurring in a immunocompetent patient.