ABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, TNF-alpha antagonist has been widely used for these disease, but it also plays a major role in cell mediated immunity. Cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated, ubiquitous environmental yeast, is pathogenic for humans, primarily those with compromised immune function. Cryptococcus neoformans is believed to be a facultative intracellular pathogen. We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis after chimeric anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy. No case has been reported in Korea for the best of our knowledge. A 66-year old woman was admitted because of severe cough. She was diagnosed to have rheumatoid arthritis 4 years ago and taken prednisolone and methotrexate. She was started on infliximab and received ten doses, the last dose being administered 6 weeks prior to above symptom. Chest PA and computed tomography of chest revealed multifocal consolidative lesions in both lungs. Pulmonary cryptococcosis confirmed by thoracoscopic lung biopsy tissue stained with Grocott-Gomori methenamine-silver (GMS). Initially the lung lesion responded to amphotericin B but leukopenia developed after 12 days of treatment. It was changed to fluconazole, then leukopenia and the pneumonia also improved. Physicians should remind pulmonary cryptococcosis in patients receiving TNF-alpha antagonist therapy.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Amphotericin B , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Biopsy , Cough , Crohn Disease , Cryptococcosis , Cryptococcus neoformans , Fluconazole , Immunity, Cellular , Infliximab , Korea , Leukopenia , Lung , Methotrexate , Pneumonia , Prednisolone , Thorax , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , YeastsABSTRACT
Cryptoccocosis occurs more frequently in immunocompromised hosts such as patients with AIDS, lymphoma, leukemia and other debilitating diseases. Pulmonary cryptococcosis can occur in the absence of any recognized immunodeficiency and cryptococcal meningitis can occur rarely during pregnancy. Although it is extremely rare, we encounter the reports of case of cryptococcal pneumonia and combined cryptococcal meningitis during pregnancy. We present here that 36-year-old pregnant woman, who was previously healthy, with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and cryptococcal pneumonia was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine. The maternal outcome was favorable, and there is no evidence of congenital infection in the newborn.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Amphotericin B , Cryptococcosis , Flucytosine , Immunocompromised Host , Leukemia , Lymphoma , Meningitis, Cryptococcal , Meningoencephalitis , Pneumonia , Pregnant WomenABSTRACT
Cryptoccocosis occurs more frequently in immunocompromised hosts such as patients with AIDS, lymphoma, leukemia and other debilitating diseases. Pulmonary cryptococcosis can occur in the absence of any recognized immunodeficiency and cryptococcal meningitis can occur rarely during pregnancy. Although it is extremely rare, we encounter the reports of case of cryptococcal pneumonia and combined cryptococcal meningitis during pregnancy. We present here that 36-year-old pregnant woman, who was previously healthy, with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and cryptococcal pneumonia was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine. The maternal outcome was favorable, and there is no evidence of congenital infection in the newborn.