[Pulmonary cryptococcosis in AIDS]

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 1992 Dec;10(10):607-10.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

We present here three AIDS patients with disseminated cryptococcal infection and lung involvement. Two patients presented with respiratory symptoms and in the third one, pulmonary disease was only a radiologic finding. Chest X-ray films showed an interstitial pattern in two cases and pulmonary cavitation in one case. One patient has also simultaneous infection by P. carinii. Diagnosis was established by culture from bronchoalveolar lavage in all cases and also by non-induced sputum exam in two cases. All patients were treated with amphotericin B, with good clinical outcome, and without relapses under maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Cryptococcosis must be included in differential diagnosis of AIDS patients with diffuse interstitial lung infiltrates. The presence of C. neoformans in respiratory samples does not rule out the existence of other opportunistic infections, and therefore bronchoalveolar lavage is advisable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis / complications*
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / epidemiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amphotericin B
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
  • Fluconazole