Multiple cystic lesions after treatment for pulmonary cryptococcosis

Pulmonary cryptococcosis presents various radiological manifestations depending on the immunological status of the host. The most common chest radiographic findings include single or multiple nodules. Herein, we present a rare case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis presenting as multiple cystic lesions that enlarged after treatment.     

原发性肺隐球菌病12例临床分析

目的分析12例原发性肺隐球菌病患者的临床特点,提高对肺隐球菌病的临床诊疗水平,减少延诊、误诊。方法回顾性分析2007年1月-2010年9月深圳市人民医院确诊的12例原发性肺隐球菌病患者的资料,包括临床症状、影像学特点、实验室检查以及治疗。结果12例肺隐球菌患者中,4例患有基础病,8例有咳嗽、咳痰、胸痛、气促、发热等临床症状。影像学表现为肺单发或多发结节,或片状渗出影。7例行肺叶切除,仅2例术后接受抗真菌治疗。4例患者给予氟康唑治疗,1例未抗真菌治疗。结论原发性肺隐球菌病可发生于免疫功能正常者,临床表现和影像学表现无特异性,易误诊,确诊依靠病理活检。治疗手段包括抗真菌药物治疗,部分病例需行手术。氟康唑有良好疗效且不良反应小,可作为该病首选药物。     

原发性肺隐球菌病12例分析

目的：探讨肺隐球菌病的临床特征、诊断和治疗，以提高对本病的认识。方法：对1989年1月—2001年12月本所确诊的12例原发性肺隐球菌病进行回顾性研究，分析其临床特点。结果：肺部隐球菌病以中青年(8例，66．7％)和男性(9例，75．0％)多见。症状轻微，主要表现为咳嗽(7例，58．3％)，咳痰(6例，50．0％)，胸痛(4例，33．3％)，发热(3例，25．0％)，气促(2例，16．7％)和消瘦(2例，16．7％)，5例(41．7％)无症状。病变分布呈下肺(8例，66．7％)多于上肺(4例，33．3％)，右肺(6例，50．0％)多于左肺(3例，25．0％，余3例双侧)的特点。病变表现多为孤立性肿块影，共6例(50．0％)。全部病例均经病理确诊。手术切除病灶或足疗程氟康唑治疗可取得理想的效果。绪论：原发性肺隐球菌病多发于无基础肺疾患的中青年，以肺部阴影为主要表现，易被漏诊、误诊，足疗程氟康唑可取得很好疗效。     

原发性肺隐球菌病8例并文献复习

为探讨原发性肺隐球菌病(pulmonary cryptococcosis,PC)的临床表现、临床病理特征、诊疗方法,回顾性分析2014-2018年遵义医科大学附属医院收治的8例经病理组织学确诊的PC患者的临床资料,收集其临床病理特征、苏木精-伊红(HE)及特殊染色等相关资料,并复习相关文献。8例PC患者中均为免疫力正常人群,无一例患者近期有鸽粪接触史。7例表现为咳嗽、咳痰或胸痛表现,1例患者无明显症状;影像学表现以单发或多发结节肿块影为主,亦有斑片渗出影表现。临床初步诊断肺癌、肺结核、肺炎及炎性假瘤,无一例考虑肺真菌病。病理组织学表现为慢性炎症及肉芽肿性病变,PAS、六胺银染色下均可见新型隐球菌孢子。7例患者只采取了外科肺叶切除术,1例患者行肺穿刺并行系统抗真菌药物治疗,随访至今,无一例复发。以上结果表明大部分PC患者无明显免疫功能损害,临床表现及影像学表现无特异性。大多数病例通过组织病理学找到隐球菌孢子可确诊,六胺银、过碘酸希夫染色特殊染色有助于病理诊断。免疫功能正常的PC患者行外科肺叶切除后如未行系统抗真菌治疗,则需密切随访。氟康唑和伊曲康唑治疗仍是经典的内科治疗手段。     

肺隐球菌病3例报告并文献复习

目的 提高对肺隐球菌病的诊断和治疗水平.方法 对3例肺隐球菌病患者的临床资料进行分析,并进行文献复习.结果 3例患者均行经皮肺穿刺活检,组织病理学确诊.1、2例为轻症,第3例为重症.痰培养和支气管镜检查均阴性,血清隐球菌荚膜乳胶凝集实验均阳性,第3例脑脊液压力升高,乳胶凝集实验阳性.1、2例应用氟康唑治疗,第3例应用两性霉素B治疗,均临床治愈.结论 肺隐球菌病临床误诊率高.采用血清隐球菌荚膜乳胶凝集实验和经皮肺穿刺活检相结合的方法,可明显提高诊断率.对于免疫功能正常和轻症患者,首选氟康唑,对于免疫受损和重症患者,首选两性霉素B.     

Disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient taking tocilizumab for Castleman's disease

Infections occur more frequently in patients receiving biologics. However, cryptococcal infection is uncommon in patients receiving tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 inhibitor, in contrast to patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. In this report, we describe a case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a 55-year-old man who was receiving tocilizumab every 2 weeks along with daily prednisolone and cyclosporine for Castleman's disease. He initially developed cellulitis on both upper limbs, and his condition worsened despite antibacterial therapy. Chest X-ray scanning and computed tomography demonstrated bilateral pulmonary infiltration. Cryptococcus neoformans was detected in blood, skin, and sputum cultures. He was diagnosed with disseminated cryptococcosis, and successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B for a week followed by oral fluconazole for 11 months. The findings of this study indicate that cryptococcosis should be considered during the differential diagnosis of infection in patients receiving tocilizumab, especially in the presence of other risk factors for infections or a short tocilizumab dosing interval.     

肺隐球菌病的临床特征分析

目的：探讨肺隐球菌病（pulmonary cryptococcosis,PC）患者的临床特征.方法：回顾分析复旦大学附属中山医院2004年10月-2012年10月确诊的94例PC患者的临床特点、影像学表现、实验室检查、诊断和治疗.结果：94例PC患者中,男性62例,女性32例;年龄18～78岁,平均年龄（46.2±14.4）岁.临床主要表现为咳嗽50例（53.2％）、咳痰41例（43.6％）、发热20例（21.3％）、胸痛15例（16.0％）、气急10例（10.6％）、咯血7例（7.4％）等.影像学显示,以下肺受累多见,60例（63.8％）表现为单发和（或）多发结节,17例（18.1％）表现为渗出实变影,27例（28.7％）表现为混合病灶.94例中,经皮肺穿刺活检确诊48例（51.1％）,经支气管镜肺活检确诊17例（18.1％）,胸腔镜手术确诊24例（25.5％）,开胸手术确诊1例（1.1％）;经组织学培养确诊4例（4.3％）.54例患者行乳胶凝集试验检查,阳性率98.1％（53/54）.接受手术治疗的28例患者中,24例得到随访,随访1～3年,术后1年复发1例;接受单纯抗真菌治疗的66例患者中,59例得到随访,随访时间1～3年,40例治愈,12例病灶明显吸收、3例病灶无变化、2例恶化、1例病死、1例2年后复发.结论：PC影像学表现为病灶多发且以肺下部受累多见,临床表现无特异性,乳胶凝集试验敏感性高,经皮肺穿刺及经支气管镜肺活检有利于该病诊断.     

原发性肺隐球菌病的胸部CT分析

目的分析原发性肺隐球菌病的临床与胸部CT表现,提高对本病的认识。方法回顾性分析7例经病理证实的原发性肺隐球菌病患者的临床及胸部CT表现。结果7例原发性肺隐球菌病患者,临床主要表现为咳嗽,气喘,咯血,胸痛和低热。CT主要表现单发结节影1例;多发结节影5例,其中4例与斑片状实变影混合存在;多发的段或叶实变影1例。2例在结节影和实变影有厚壁空洞。上述病灶多位于肺外带及胸膜下。结论原发性肺隐球菌病肺部异常影像表现多样性,CT表现也缺乏特异性。当肺部阴影诊断不明时在鉴别诊断上应考虑此病,是早期诊断的关键;确诊主要依赖病理学检查。     

An indeterminate QuantiFERON TB-2G response for miliary tuberculosis,due to severe pancytopenia

We report the case of a 56-year-old man with miliary tuberculosis whose response to the QuantiFERON (QFT) TB-2G (Cellestis; South Melbourne, Australia) test was indeterminate due to pancytopenia (lymphocytopenia). The patient had severe lymphocytopenia due to either the miliary tuberculosis or immunosuppressive treatment with a corticosteroid; for the 2 years before admission, he had received corticosteroid treatment for Behçet's disease. The lymphocytopenia was also a complication of multiple organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. A chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a miliary shadow. After intubation performed because of acute respiratory failure, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. We made a clinical diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis because M. tuberculosis was demonstrated in both lung and bone marrow specimens. However, immunologically, the tuberculin skin test was negative and the QFT-TB 2G test response was indeterminate, based on the CDC guideline. Although the QFT-TB 2G test has been used recently as a supportive method for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis, care must be taken in judging the condition of a patient with lymphocytopenia caused by severe underlying disease or immunosuppressive treatment. This patient was treated with antituberculous drugs 3 days after admission, but he died of multiple organ failure 6 days after admission.     

Rapid respiratory deterioration and sudden death due to disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

We report the case of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) whose death occurred within 30 hours of hospitalization due to disseminated cryptococcosis, manifested by dizziness, cough, and shortness of breath. The clinical picture was consistent with pneumocystis pneumonia, and antibiotic therapy with corticosteroids was initiated. Despite initial improvement, the patient's condition quickly worsened, resulting in cardiorespiratory arrest and death. Autopsy revealed cryptococci in several organs. Sudden, rapid deterioration and death are rare consequences of disseminated cryptococcosis, and steroids may worsen the course of the disease. On the basis of this case and review of similar cases in the literature, we recommend early consideration of disseminated cryptococcosis in AIDS patients with pneumonia. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.     

Clinical characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis coexisting with lung adenocarcinoma: Three case reports

BACKGROUNDPulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is an invasive fungal disease caused mainly by Cryptococcus (C.) neoformans or C. gattii. It may be present in immunocompetent or immunocompromised patients. The radiographic features of PC vary, and the most common computed tomography manifestation is the presence of solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules or masses distributed in the outer zone of the lung field. The appearance of nodular or mass-like PC on computed tomography scans resembles that of primary or metastatic lung cancers, and differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult. The coexistence of PC and malignant tumors is rarely observed. CASE SUMMARYThis paper reports three cases of PC combined with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed by video-assisted thoracic surgery lung biopsy, which were successfully managed by early diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONThe present case report might serve as a reminder not to neglect PC coexisting with adenocarcinoma. Early diagnosis and treatment lead to a better prognosis.     

Pulmonary cryptococcosis presenting as acute severe respiratory distress in a newly diagnosed HIV patient in Tanzania: a case report

Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a common condition in HIV‐infected patients which is frequently missed or misdiagnosed in resource‐limited countries. We report a case of HIV/AIDS patient who was misdiagnosed with a fatal outcome. There is a need to implement screening tools to be used where the diagnosis may not be confirmed.     

Miliary tuberculosis: unusual cause of abdominal pain in pregnancy.

We have described a case of miliary tuberculosis, with symptoms primarily due to hepatic involvement during pregnancy. Liver biopsy showed granulomatous hepatitis, and subsequent cultures of sputum, urine, and gastric aspirate were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although this patient was seronegative for HIV, an increased incidence of extrapulmonary and disseminated tuberculous infection has recently been noted in patients with HIV infection. Given the increasing incidence of HIV in the general population, we may therefore anticipate a corresponding rise in the incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Since an increasing number of gravidas will be immunocompromised by HIV infection, renewal of knowledge regarding diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis in pregnancy is valuable.     

Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in a lung transplant recipient

Cryptococcal skin lesions are found in 10 to 15% of patients with disseminated cryptococcosis. Primary skin inoculation by Cryptococcus neoformans is rare but has been reported. We report the first known case of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in a lung transplant recipient. Our patient, a 57-year-old man, underwent left single-lung transplantation and presented with a nonhealing ulcer 50 months later. Skin histopathology and culture confirmed C. neoformans. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal antigen tests were negative. The lesion healed after treatment with fluconazole. To date, disseminated disease is not evident. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis has been reported in kidney and liver recipients but not in lung transplantation recipients. Nonhealing ulcers in immunocompromised patients mandate aggressive diagnostic procedures. Differential diagnosis of these cutaneous lesions should consider fungi, including C. neoformans.     

Disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient with adrenocortical carcinoma and Cushing's syndrome

Corticosteroids have been used for the treatment of a great variety of diseases. Therefore, the relationship between high doses of cortisol and infections has been widely known and prophylactic therapy has been established. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis, so little is known about how to deal with the complications resulting from hormone excess such as Cushing's syndrome. Here we report a case of an 82-year-old woman who presented with a 1-day history of dyspnea and was finally diagnosed as disseminated cryptococcosis at autopsy. The patient had received a diagnosis of metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma and Cushing's syndrome three months earlier. The findings of this study indicate the relation between severe hypercortisolemia due to adrenocortical carcinoma and opportunistic infections. In the setting of adrenocortical carcinoma with Cushing's syndrome, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for opportunistic infections including cryptococcosis, which are potentially treatable by early detection and prompt intervention.     

肺隐球菌病临床和影像学分析

目的分析肺隐球菌病(PC)的临床特点和影像学表现以提高对该病的认识。方法回顾性分析我院2000-2004年间28例PC的临床、相关检查资料及影像学表现,并对所有PC患者的临床与影像学表现进行对照分析研究。结果28例PC,男性19例,女性9例,中青年为24例;7例有基础疾病;9例无任何症状,其余18例有咳嗽、咳痰、低热等轻度呼吸道症状;所有病例均经手术、肺穿刺、经纤支镜肺活检(TBLB)病理和细菌学确诊,其中26例行苏木素伊红和组织化学染色,均有隐球菌阳性提示;13例行核医学肺显像检查,12例诊断为恶性病变。28例PC影像学表现分为3种类型:肺结节、肿块(16例),肺炎样改变(7例),混杂性改变(5例);临床和影像学分析:(1)PC影像学表现为结节、肿块病变者临床症状较轻,而表现为炎症样改变和混杂性改变者临床症状较重。(2)有基础病变的PC患者多呈炎症样改变或混杂性改变,并且其临床症状相对较重。结论肺隐球菌病的临床和影像学表现不典型,临床应重视PC的存在,认识此病的特征,以提高对此病的诊断能力,并应积极开展病灶经皮肺穿刺及TBLB检查,减少开胸手术率。     

肺隐球菌病的螺旋CT诊断

目的探讨肺隐球菌病的螺旋CT表现,以提高其诊断准确率。方法回顾性分析36例经病理证实的肺隐球菌病的临床及CT资料,分析其特征性表现。结果肺隐球菌病临床症状主要表现为咳嗽及胸痛,无症状8例。CT上根据病灶形态分三型为:①结节、团块或片状影27例,其中单发病灶(结节或团块影)6例,多发病灶(包括多发结节、结节并团块或片状影)21例;②浸润实变影6例;③弥漫混合型3例。36例病灶中位于两肺下叶21例(58.3%),位于肺外带及胸膜下区22例(61.1%),伴有空洞11例(30.6%),晕征7例(19.4%)。结论肺隐球菌病CT表现多样,以结节、团块或片状型多见;病灶多分布于肺外周,可伴空洞、晕征,结合临床表现有助于肺隐球菌病的诊断。     

Breakthrough cryptococcosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving micafungin

A 67-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted to our hospital because of lupus nephritis. Methylprednisolone minipulse therapy dramatically reduced her proteinuria; however; she then complained of general fatigue with low-grade fever. Radiological and culture studies revealed no infectious focus, but she was treated with meropenem and micafungin, considering her immunosuppressive state. Cytomegalovirus antigenemia was later determined and ganciclovir was added. She became afebrile, but complained of nausea and headache, and disorientation, without meningeal signs. Because a brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed no abnormality, we initially suspected some kind of drug interaction. Despite the discontinuation of all drugs, however, she still suffered from disturbance of consciousness. A lumbar puncture revealed yeast cells stained by India ink. A diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was confirmed. Though fluconazole and meropenem were administered, the patient died. Autopsy findings revealed disseminated cryptococcosis concomitant with pulmonary aspergillosis. Micafungin is a recently approved echinocandin-class antifungal agent that is now widely used in Japan because of its minimal toxicity and broadspectrum activity. However, such echinocandins have limited activity against a number of fungi. Indeed, breakthrough trichosporonosis is becoming a significant problem in patients with hematological malignancies who are receiving echinocandins. To the best of our knowledge, breakthrough cryptococcosis, as seen in our patient, has not been reported previously in patients who were receiving micafungin as an empiric antifungal therapy. This case highlights that cryptococcosis should be kept in mind as a possible breakthrough infection during the administration of echinocandins, especially in patients with cellular immunodeficiency.     

Treatment of cryptococcosis in the setting of HIV coinfection

The HIV pandemic has been associated with a rise in the prevalence of primary and recurrent cryptococcosis. Evidence-based treatment algorithms exist for the use of antifungal drugs and maintaining normal intracranial pressure in HIV-infected hosts with cryptococcal meningitis. Further investigation is needed for the treatment of cases with refractory infections and cryptococcosis-related immune reconstitution syndrome, along with the optimal use of adjuvant therapies. Primary and secondary prevention strategies remain at the crux of global control strategies for cryptococcal disease.     

Miliary tuberculosis associated with multiple intracranial tuberculomas

In this study we have reported a 12-year old girl patient who visited out-patient clinic with the history of headache and convulsion. The patient was diagnosed as miliary tuberculosis and multiple brain tuberculomas. Miliary infiltration was observed in chest x-ray and high-resolution thorax computed tomography (CT), and multiple tuberculomas surrounded with wide edema was observed in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Acid-fast bacilli were detected in inducted sputum and gastric fluid. Focal epileptiform activity was seen in electroencephalography (EEG). The patient was administered antitubercular, anti-edema and antiepileptic therapy. The patient had not experienced convulsion for the second time and EEG had been normal; therefore her treatment was completed within 12 months. Chest x-ray and high-resolution thorax CT findings turned to normal and brain MRI findings improved significantly. As a conclusion, tuberculosis disease has very different clinical pattern depending on the organs it involves. The significance of our case is due to the presence of both the miliary tuberculosis and intracranial tuberculomas. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to central nervous system symtoms rather than pulmonary symptoms.