Mixed Pneumocystis and Cryptococcus cutaneous infection histologically mimicking xanthoma

Am J Dermatopathol. 2013 Feb;35(1):e6-10. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e318266b59a.

Abstract

Cutaneous Pneumocystis jirovecii infection is rare. It is thought that the disease emerges from a latent infection delivered via hematogenous and/or lymphatic dissemination from a primary lung infection in immunocompromised individuals. A 32-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-positive male was admitted for headache and vomiting. He was diagnosed with meningitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans and sputum tested positive for Pneumocystis. Six months later, he presented with a slightly crusted yellowish brown plaque and 2 similar but smaller papules with telangiectasia near the right angle of the mouth. Biopsy of the area featured histiocytes expanded by foamy cytoplasm as in a xanthoma except that the vacuoles were coarser. Special stains ultimately demonstrated the characteristic disks of Pneumocystis accompanied by a minor component of budding yeasts (Cryptococcus) in the same fields. This case illustrates the utility of adequate special stains in recognizing a mixed cutaneous infection, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, when microscopy presents an odd xanthoma-like lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Coinfection*
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis / pathology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity*
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumocystis Infections / drug therapy
  • Pneumocystis Infections / microbiology
  • Pneumocystis Infections / pathology*
  • Pneumocystis carinii / pathogenicity*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Xanthomatosis / pathology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents