Po-Jen Hsiao1, Han Cheng2, Yung-Hsi Kao3, Yuan-Hung Wang4, Chih-Chiun Chiu5, Wen-Fang Chiang6, Chih-Chun Kuo7, Chih-Pin Chuu8, Kuo-An Wu9. 1. Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: doc10510@aftygh.gov.tw. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 3. Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. 5. Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. 6. Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. 7. Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 8. Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan; Graduate Program for Aging, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. 9. Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an opportunistic aggressive mycosis in immunocompromised patients, but it can be increasingly seen in immunocompetent patients. It is still challenging to make a rapid and accurate diagnosis due to the various clinical manifestations and limitations in the diagnostic tools. METHOD: A 54-year-old man presented with intermittent productive cough and fever for 1 week. A chest X-ray demonstrated multiple consolidations in both lungs. Blood biochemistry indicated elevated immunoglobulin G levels. Including sputum cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza A and B virus were all negative. Computed tomography of the chest showed ground-glass opacities with a nodular pattern. The serum cryptococcal antigen test was positive; however, the cerebral spinal fluid was negative. The diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcal infection was made. An initial bronchoscopy was performed unsuccessfully and the patient received intravenous fluconazole therapy for 2 weeks. Due to poor improvement of clinical condition, he then underwent a surgical lung biopsy. The pathology revealed several encapsulated yeast cells, diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, noncaseating granulomas surrounded by T lymphocytes and multinucleated giant cells with intracellular inclusions, confirming pulmonary yeast infection associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Ultimately, fungal cultures of the pathology samples revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Subsequently antifungal therapy combined with oral steroid treatment, his general condition improved. After a total of 6 months of antifungal therapy, the patient recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: Applicable laboratory diagnosis can help facilitate the accurate and rapid diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. This report elected to provide an update on the topic of laboratory diagnosis, clinical manifestation, and management of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an opportunistic aggressive mycosis in immunocompromised patients, but it can be increasingly seen in immunocompetent patients. It is still challenging to make a rapid and accurate diagnosis due to the various clinical manifestations and limitations in the diagnostic tools. METHOD: A 54-year-old man presented with intermittent productive cough and fever for 1 week. A chest X-ray demonstrated multiple consolidations in both lungs. Blood biochemistry indicated elevated immunoglobulin G levels. Including sputum cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza A and B virus were all negative. Computed tomography of the chest showed ground-glass opacities with a nodular pattern. The serum cryptococcal antigen test was positive; however, the cerebral spinal fluid was negative. The diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcal infection was made. An initial bronchoscopy was performed unsuccessfully and the patient received intravenous fluconazole therapy for 2 weeks. Due to poor improvement of clinical condition, he then underwent a surgical lung biopsy. The pathology revealed several encapsulated yeast cells, diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, noncaseating granulomas surrounded by T lymphocytes and multinucleated giant cells with intracellular inclusions, confirming pulmonary yeast infection associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Ultimately, fungal cultures of the pathology samples revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Subsequently antifungal therapy combined with oral steroid treatment, his general condition improved. After a total of 6 months of antifungal therapy, the patient recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: Applicable laboratory diagnosis can help facilitate the accurate and rapid diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. This report elected to provide an update on the topic of laboratory diagnosis, clinical manifestation, and management of pulmonary cryptococcosis.