[Clinical problems in Medical Mycology: problem number 55]

Abstract

A 31-year-old woman, with signs of HIV infection (oral thrush, weight loss, asthenia) presented to our hospital with dyspnea and fever. A rapid HIV test yielded a positive result, and cryptococcal capsular antigen was detected in serum. In the mycological study of the clinical respiratory samples, yeasts compatible with Cryptococcus were observed under light microscope in a wet mount; structures compatible with Pneumocystis jirovecii were also observed in Giemsa stain. Treatment for both pathologies was prescribed but, unfortunately, the patient died 7 days after. The finding of two etiologic agents in the same clinical picture is rare but not exceptional, and it always must be considered in immunocompromised hosts.