A rare case of cutaneous Papiliotrema (Cryptococcus) laurentii infection in a 23-year-old Caucasian woman affected by an autoimmune thyroid disorder with hypothyroidism

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Mar;40(3):647-650. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-04058-5. Epub 2020 Oct 6.

Abstract

In recent years, the frequency of infections due to saprophytic fungi has increased. Cryptococcus laurentii, recently classified as Papiliotrema laurentii, is responsible for fungemia, meningitis, and superficial infections. Here, we report the first case of cutaneous Papiliotrema (Cryptococcus) laurentii infection in a 23-year-old Caucasian woman affected by an autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism. Impairments of the immune system are often associated with unusual fungal infections, which cannot be neglected. The isolate strain was susceptible to Amphotericin B while resistant to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and terbinafine. The patient was successfully treated with Amphotericin B.

Keywords: Autoimmune thyroid disease; Cutaneous infection; MALDI-TOF; Papiliotrema (Cryptococcus) laurentii.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Basidiomycota / drug effects
  • Basidiomycota / pathogenicity*
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / etiology*
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / complications*
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hypothyroidism / microbiology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / complications*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / drug therapy
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / microbiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Papiliotrema laurentii