Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent host: case report and review of the literature

Dermatology. 2002;204(2):145-9. doi: 10.1159/000051835.

Abstract

We report a 46-year-old male who developed cellulitis of his third right finger after being injured with a metallic object. Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans was isolated from both the skin and the metallic object. Systemic cryptococcosis and immunosuppression was excluded by appropriate tests. Complete healing was achieved after 10 months of itraconazole 100 mg/12 h and surgical excision of the remaining lesion. Our literature review shows another 16 cases of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in nonimmunocompromised hosts. The clinical, mycological and therapeutic characteristics of these patients are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis / etiology*
  • Cryptococcosis / pathology
  • Cryptococcosis / therapy
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification
  • Dermatomycoses / etiology*
  • Dermatomycoses / pathology
  • Dermatomycoses / therapy
  • Finger Injuries / complications*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole