Retrospective analysis of 77 pathologically confirmed cases of pulmonary mycosis in a hospital in the south Sichuan Basin, 2014-2021 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To observe the etiological distribution, basic information, clinical characteristics, imaging and pathological features, treatment regimens, and prognosis of pathologically confirmed cases of pulmonary mycosis, aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment level of pulmonary mycosis. Methods The clinical, imaging and pathological data of patients with pulmonary mycosis diagnosed by pathological biopsy in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 77 cases of pulmonary mycosis who were diagnosed by pathology, and of these patients, 42 cases (54.54%) suffered from pulmonary aspergillosis, 34 cases (44.16%) suffered from pulmonary cryptococcosis, and 1 case (1.30%) suffered from pulmonary mucormycosis. Among the 77 patients, there were 38 male and 39 female patients, with an age range of 25 to 68 years old (mean age 51.13±10.32 years old). The common respiratory symptoms on admission included cough (33 cases, 42.86%), hemoptysis (24 cases, 31.17%), expectoration (22 cases, 28.57%) and chest pain (13 cases, 16.88%). Chest imaging features mainly included pulmonary nodules (37 cases, 48.05%), cavity (14 cases, 18.18%) and air crescent sign (10 cases, 12.99%). In this study, the main treatment measures for pulmonary mycosis were surgical resection (47 cases, 61.04%) and antifungal therapy combined with surgical resection (19 cases, 24.68%). After active treatments, most of these patients (72/77, 93.51%) discharged with better condition. Conclusions Pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis are common pulmonary mycosis diagnosed by pathology. The main respiratory symptoms on admission are cough, expectoration and hemoptysis. Pulmonary nodules are the most common imaging features, and "air crescent sign" can be seen in some patients with pulmonary aspergillosis. Most pulmonary mycosis can have good treatment outcomes. Combining fungal histopathological characteristics and fungal special staining such as Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining can identify most pathogenic fungi into genera, which has important clinical significance for the timely diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary mycosis

Clinical analysis of cryptococcosis neoformans infection in patients with connective tissue disease / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To improve the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment by analyzing the clinical features and relevant factors of cryptococcosis neoformans in patients with connective tissue disease(CTD).Methods:Twelve patients with CTD and cryptococcosis neoformans infection in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2010 to April 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical and laboratory data, treatment and outcome were collected and analyzed. Independent sample t-test or Rank-sum test was used. Results:The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 85 years old(mean 51 years old), all of whom were female. None of them were exposed to pigeons and their feces. Of the 12 patients, 3 patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, 7 patients had systemic lupus erythematosus, 1 patient was diagnosed with primary Sj?gren 's syndrome, and 1 patient was diagnosed as undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Four cases were cryptococcal meningitis, 8 were pulmonary cryptococcosis. None of the 12 patients had immunodeficiency virus infection. All 12 patients were given glucocorticoid alone or combined with immunosuppressive or biological agents. All were detected with positive cryptococcus neoformans antigen in serum; 6 got lumbar puncture, 2 cases were positive for ink stain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture were positive in 2, in whom 3 had high intracranial pressure, in which the highest one was more than 600 mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa); 7 cases underwent lung biopsy. Among these patients, all were positive for cryptococcosis neoformans in lung tissue pathological examination; 6 had the number of peripheral lymphocytes less than 1.0×10 9/L, and 2 were detected for the number of CD4 + T cell, which was significantly decreased. As for the initial anti-fungal drug therapy, all cases were treated with fluconazole intravenously; 2 were treated with combined amphotericin, 1 was treated with combined fluorocytosine, 1 was treated with amphotericin and fluorocytosine. Then oral flu-conazole was prescribed as sequential therapy. The whole treatmentcourse ranged from 4 to 21 months. Eleven patients were cured, and 1 was relieved. Conclusion:Patients with connective tissue disease complicated with cryptococcus neoformans infection have atypical clinical symptoms. Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids are related causes. Patients with decreased peripheral blood lymphocytes, especially CD4 + T cell, are more susceptible to infection. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are the key to improve the prognosis and cure of the disease.

Clinical analysis of 42 elderly patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical features, imaging characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of elderly patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis, and to propose considerations for the early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis.Methods:Clinical data of 42 elderly patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2015 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Differences in clinical data were compared between immunocompromised patients and immunocompetent patients by using the SPSS software.Results:The mean age of patients of with pulmonary cryptococcosis was(66.0±5.3)years.Of the cases, 27 were immunocompromised, with common underlying diseases such as autoimmune rheumatic disorders, tumors and chronic kidney disease.Main clinical manifestations were cough, sputum expectoration, fever and chest tightness.Twenty-two cases showed nodules on chest CT scans, most of which contained multiple nodules.Twenty-four cases showed unilateral lesions, mainly in the lower lobe.There was no significant difference in clinical manifestations, lesion types or location distribution between the immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups( P>0.05), while the incidence of air bronchograms was higher in the immunocompetent group than in the immunocompromised group( P<0.05). Seventeen cases were diagnosed by histopathology, and the clinical diagnosis of 25 cases was confirmed by the positive detection of capsular polysaccharide antigens.Nine cases were treated surgically, 1 case underwent clinical observation postoperatively, and 8 cases were treated with fluconazole after surgery.Thirty-three cases were treated with antifungal therapy, 6 of whom were treated with a combination of drugs.Eight cases were lost to follow-up, 29 were cured or improved, 2 progressed, and 3 died. Conclusions:Pulmonary cryptococcosis in the elderly is more common in immunocompromised patients, with atypical clinical symptoms and a high rate of misdiagnosis.Cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen testing is helpful for early diagnosis, and treatment plans need to be chosen and adjusted according to the patient's immune status and specific conditions.

Criptococosis pulmonar en un paciente con colitis ulcerativa tratado con prednisolona y azatioprina / Pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with ulcerative colitis treated with prednisolone and azathioprine

Resumen La enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal comprende la enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y la colitis ulcerativa (CU). Esta última es una patología crónica caracterizada por una inflamación difusa de la mucosa colónica, que afecta el recto y se extiende de forma proximal. Su curso clínico es intermitente, con exacerbaciones y remisiones. Su tratamiento, por lo general, es farmacológico, con corticoides, inmunomoduladores e inhibidor del factor de necrosis tumoral (anti tumor necrosis factor, TNF), los cuales causan un estado de inmunosupresión en el paciente, que puede asociarse en algunos casos a infecciones oportunistas. En la literatura se describe la aparición de la criptococosis pulmonar en pacientes con infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). En otros casos se asocia al tratamiento farmacológico de pacientes con EC, así como con otras infecciones oportunistas, tales como la tuberculosis y el herpes. Presentamos uno de los primeros casos de criptococosis pulmonar en un paciente con diagnóstico de colitis ulcerativa, quien recibió tratamiento escalonado con salicilatos, inmunomoduladores y terapia biológica. La infección fue documentada clínica, radiológica e histológicamente. El paciente recibió el tratamiento adecuado y presentó una evolución satisfactoria.

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease comprises Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the latter being a chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the colonic mucosa that affects the rectum and extends proximally. Its clinical course is intermittent with exacerbations and remissions and its treatment is generally pharmacological, with steroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF), which cause the patient to be in a state of immunosuppression associated, in some cases, with opportunistic infections. The literature describes the occurrence of pulmonary cryptococcosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, in cases associated with drug treatment of patients with CD, as well as with other opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and herpes. This is one of the first cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis reported in a patient diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, who received step therapy with salicylates, immunomodulators, and biological therapy. The infection was documented clinically, radiologically, and histologically. The patient received the appropriate treatment and had a satisfactory evolution.

Molecular Detection of Cryptococcus from Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue Sample - A Noncultural Approach for Diagnosis of Primary Pulmonary Cryptococcosis

@#Despite pulmonary cryptococcosis showing good response to antifungal treatment, making accurate diagnosis in a timely manner remains a challenge. Tissue for fungal culture is less sensitive, nonspecific, and time-consuming to allow for prompt diagnosis. We herein report a case of 31-year-old woman with no known medical illness but presented with history of cough and haemoptysis for two months. The chest X-ray and bronchoscopy revealed left lung mass. While tuberculosis showed negative result and no growth observed in the tissue culture, the histopathological examination (HPE) finding was suggestive of fungal infection. The formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue was sent for molecular testing, which revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. This report emphasises on the advantages and limitations of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as an alternative method to confirm the diagnosis in cases of culture-negative fungal infection.

Imaging Findings of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis / 中国医学科学院学报

Pulmonary cryptococcosis(PC)is a fungal infection that can be easily misdiagnosed due to its non-specific clinical features and imaging findings.This article reviews the imaging findings of PC,their relationships with pathology and immune status,and differential diagnosis of PC with other disease,so as to improve the clinical management of PC.

Screening for cryptococcal antigenemia and analyzsis of the related cryptococcal lesions in hospitalized human immunodeficiency virus infected patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia and explore the related cryptococcal lesions in hospitalized human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV )-infected patients . Methods Medical records of 517 HIV-infected patients ,including patients'age ,sex ,clinical features , previous medical history ,laboratory tests ,chest CT ,treatment and the response to treatment ,in the Second Hospital of the Nanjing between January 2016 and February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed . The serum cryptococcal antigen (sCrAg) was detected by lateral flow immunoassay .The χ2 test or Fisherexact test was used to perform the statistical analysis .Results Among 517 HIV-infected cases ,51 were sCrAg positive ,of whom 96 .1％ (49 cases) were men .The cases with CD4+ T lymphocyte count <100 × 106 cells/L accounted for 66 .2％ (342 cases) ,while 90 .2％ (46 cases) in sCrAg-positive patients showed CD4+ T lymphocyte count < 100 × 106 cells/L with statistical significance (χ2 = 14 .6 , P< 0 .01 ) . Multivariable analysis revealed that CD4+ T lymphocyte count <100 × 106 cells/L was independent risk factor for cryptococcal antigenemia (OR= 4 .7;95％ CI:1 .8 -12 .5 , P< 0 .01) .Clinical cryptococcal diseases were found in 76 .4％ (39/51 ) of patients with cryptococcal antigenemia , and cryptococcal meningitis (CM) ,pulmonary cyptococcosis (PC) and cryptococcal septicemia were found in 56％ (28/50) ,52 .9％ (27/51) and 44 .4％ (16/36) of the patients ,respectively .Cryptoccal disease was not identified in 21 .6％ (11/51 ) of the patients with cryptococcal antigenemia (isolated cryptococcal antigenemia) .The median (range) sCrAg titers of the patients with and without CM were 1:1280 (1:10-1:2560) and 1 :15 (1:2-1:2560) ,respectively (P<0 .01) .The proportion of CM in patients with sCrAg titers ≤1:5 ,1:10 -1:320 and ≥1:640 were 0 (0/10) ,50％ (10/20) and 90％ (18/20) , respectively .When cryptococcal infection was restricted to the lung ,87 .5％ (7/8) of the patients had sCrAg titers ≤1:20 .30％ (3/10) of the patients with sCrAg titers ≤1:5 had PC .The median (range) sCrAg titers of the patients with cryptococcal septicemia and with isolated cryptococcal antigenemia were 1:1280 (1:10 -1:2560 ) and 1:5 (1:2 -1:320 ) , respectively . Conclusions T he prevalence of cryptococcal antigenmia is high in hospitalized HIV-infected patients . Most patients with cryptococcal antigenemia have developed cryptococcal diseases .The sCrAg titer in HIV patients may ,in some extend , predicts the condition of cryptococcal infection .sCrAg titers ≥ 1:640 are strongly suggestive of CM . Patients with sCrAg titers ≤1:5 seems unlikely to have CM or cryptococcal septicemia ,however ,clinician should still be alarmed of possible PC .

Extent of Lung Involvement and Serum Cryptococcal Antigen Test in Non-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Adult Patients with Pulmonary Cryptococcosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test is the most used noninvasive method to detect cryptococcal infection. However, false-negative CrAg test is not uncommon in clinical practice. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with false-negative CrAg test among non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) adult patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis and its clinical features.</p><p><b>Methods</b>One hundred and fourteen non-HIV adult patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis, proven by biopsy, were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 85 patients were enrolled; 56 were CrAg positive (CrAg+ group) and 29 were negative (CrAg- group). It was a cross-sectional study. Then, baseline characteristics, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and chest radiological findings were reviewed and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variable. Odds ratio (OR) was used to measure correlation. Student's t- test was obtained to analyze continuous variable.</p><p><b>Results</b>No difference in baseline characteristics, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, and laboratory findings were found between two groups (P > 0.05 in all). Nevertheless, diffuse extent lesion was 82.1% in CrAg+ group and 10.3% in CrAg- group (χ = 40.34, P < 0.001; OR = 39.87).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>Among patients with limited pulmonary involvement, a negative serum CrAg does not preclude the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. However, among patients with extensive pulmonary involvement, serum CrAg is a useful diagnostic tool for pulmonary cryptococcosis. Furthermore, we also noticed that the untypical and mild presentations with extensive pulmonary lesion might be the features of pulmonary cryptococcosis, which needs further investigation.</p>

CT analysis of pulmonary cryptococcosis / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To review and analyse the CT distinguishing features of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC)for improving the level of image diagnosis of the disease.Methods CT images and clinical details of 19 patients with biopsy or surgery pathology con-firmed PC were reviewed and analysed.Results Nodules or masses were presented in 10 cases,in which most casescases were nod-ules,lesions ranged in diameter from 1 cm to 2.5 cm.Multiple nodules were easy to fuse.Consolidation were presented in 6 cases,with high attenuation and clear border.3 cases were mixed type,with nodule,mass consolidation and ground glass attenuation.The lesions were mostly located in the inferior lobes(47%)and peripheral lung(68%).The features of pleural thickening,air bronchus sign,halo sign and cavitations were observed in 42%,36%,26%,21% of patients respectively.Conclusion CT findings of PC are diversity.The lesions are mostly located in the inferior and peripheral lung.Lesions are mild to moderate enhanced.Pleural thickening,air bronchus sign,halo sign,cavitations will be useful for the diagnosis.

Practice of Clinical Pharmacists Participating in One Case of Multiple Organ Cryptococcus Infection during Perinatal Period / 中国药师

Objective: To evaluate the clinical pharmacists’ role in the drug treatment of perinatal women with multiple organ cryptococcus infection. Methods:Clinical pharmacists participated in the treatment of one case of perinatal women with multiple organ cryptococcus infection and provided comprehensive pharmaceutical service, including antifungal drug selection, adverse drug reactions prevention and monitoring, glucocorticoid selection in fetal lung maturity and recommendation in lactation. Results: Clinical pharma-cists provided suggestions on the drug treatment in many ways to enhance the safety, efficiency and economic of the drug treatment, and improve the patient's compliance as well. Conclusion:Clinical pharmacists can optimize the treatment regimen and play an active role in the drug treatment of perinatal patients with cryptococcus infection.

Retrospective analysis on pathological diagnosis of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in 32 immunocompetent persons / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To understand clinical characteristics of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis (PPC),so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods Clinical data of 32 patients who were confirmed PPC by pathological diagnosis in a hospital from January 2008 to June 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Results All 32 cases were community-acquired infection ,26 male and 6 female (age between 17 and 62 years old, the average age was (35.53 ± 11 .29).Among 32 patients,8 had underlying diseases,2 were parturients,4 were carpenters,5 were pigeon keepers,3 were seafood transport drivers,and 10 lived in humid environment.Imaging findings:Solitary or multiple nodules and cluster shape(n=21),lobar consolidation(n=2),diffuse patchy shadow on bilateral lung (n=5),pulmonary cavity(n=3),and diffuse and mixed lesions (n=1).Pathological confirmation:di-agnosis through percutaneous lung biopsy(n=23),thoracoscopic surgery(n=7),and thoracotomy(n=2).Progno-sis:30 were cured,and 2 had marked effect.Conclusion PPC is commonly occurs in young and middle-aged immu-nocompetent persons,the onset is occult,clinical manifestations and imaging features lack specificity,can be easily misdiagnosed or omitted diagnosis,diagnosis is difficult,lack rapid diagnostic method in clinical practice,invasive pathological biopsy can be used as the basis of diagnosis;there is a controversy on therapy,adverse reaction of flu-conazol is mild,and has good therapeutic effect.

The diagnosis value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for pulmonary cryptococcosis / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis.Methods 15 patients who were diagnosed as pulmonary cryptococcosis were retrospectively studied,all of them were examined by sputum smear,X ray,CT and EBUS-TBNA.Results 15 patients who received EBUS-TBNA were diagnosed pulmonary cryptococcosis by pathological methods and germiculture,during the process no complication was detected.Conclusion EBUS-TBNA is a safe and effective means in the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis for pulmonary cryptococcosis patients hard to be diagnosed clinically.

Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis treated with Etanercept

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, commonly characterized by inflammation of axial skeleton and development of enthesopathies. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) shows good therapeutic responses in AS patients without good response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although TNFi are relatively safe for AS patients, serious opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis and fungal infection, could develop. Here, according to our knowledge, we report a first Korean case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with AS treated with etanercept. A 64 year-old man with AS visited due to a newly appeared pulmonary nodule on a routine chest radiography. He had been administered etanercept for 5 months. Histologic findings of the lung nodule showed characteristic features of cryptococcosis. Etanercept was discontinued and oral fluconazole was administrated, as there was no evidence of central nervous system involvement. After 7 months of treatment, chest CT showed an improvement of the pulmonary lesion.

Dectin-2 polymorphism associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis in human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected Chinese patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of Dectin-2 and pulmonary cryptococcosis.Methods A total of 134 non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis and 464 healthy controls were included in this case control study.The peripheral leucocyte DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed by multiplex SNaPshot technology.The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)of rs11045418 located at 5′-flanking locus of Dectin-2 gene was genotyped.Patients without predisposing conditions were compared independently.The differences of gene polymorphism distributions compared between pulmonary patients and healthy control, and between patients without predisposing conditions and healthy control.All data were analyzed withχ2 tests.Results Among the total 134 patients,82 patients had no predisposing factors.Thirty two patients met the proven diagnosis criteria and 102 patients were probable pulmonary cryptococcosis.According to the site of infection, 72 patients had local infection in lungs and 62 patients had disseminated cryptococcosis.Three samples failed in genotyping,one of which was a patient without predisposing factor.Compared with the control group,there was a trend of increasing proportion of heterozygote rs11045418 CT in the 131 pulmonary cryptococcosis patients (59% vs 50%,P =0.069,OR=1.44,95%CI :0.97-2.13),and the heterozygote was significantly increased in 81 patients without predisposing conditions(64% vs 50%,P =0.017,OR= 1 .82,95 %CI :1 .11 -2.95 ).No significant difference of genotype distribution was found between the local and disseminated infection patients.Conclusion Our study shows that rs11045418 CT heterozygote in Dectin-2 is associated with the susceptibility of pulmonary cyrptococcosis among non-HIV-infected Chinese patients,which indicated that the change of Dectin-2 receptor may play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary cyrptococcosis.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis in non-AIDS patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, management, and prognosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. METHOD: 24 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis with accurate pathological diagnosis were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: 15 male patients and nine female patients were diagnosed at the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 1999 to November 2011. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 44.2 ± 11.3 years (range: 24 to 65 years). Among these patients, 13 had other comorbidities. 15 were symptomatic and the other nine were asymptomatic. The most common presenting symptoms were cough, chest tightness, expectoration, and fever. None had concurrent cryptococcal meningitis. The most frequent radiologic abnormalities on chest computed tomography (CT) scans were solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules, and masses or consolidations, and most lesions were located in the lower lobes. All patients had biopsies for the accurate diagnosis. Among the 24 patients, nine patients underwent surgical resections (eight had pneumonectomy via thoracotomy and one had a pneumonectomy via thoracoscopy). Five of the patients who underwent surgery also received antifungal drug therapy (fluconazole) for one to three months after the surgery. The other 15 only received antifungal drug therapy (fluconazole or voriconazole) for three to six months (five patients are still on therapy). The follow-up observation of 19 patients who had already finished their treatments lasted from two to 11 years, and there was no relapse, dissemination, or death in any of these patients. CONCLUSION: Non-AIDS patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis have a good prognosis with appropriate management.

Early onset primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in a renal transplant patient.

We report a case of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in a post-renal transplant patient. A 65-year-old male renal transplant patient was admitted to the hospital with a low grade fever of 1 month, radiologically mimicking tuberculosis (TB). Broncho-alveolar fluid (BAL) shows capsulated yeast, and Cryptococcus neoformans was grown on culture supported by cytology and histopathological examination. Cryptococcal antigen was positive (32-fold) in serum and was negative in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient was given amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine and clinical improvement was seen on a weekly follow up. The serum cryptococcal antigen test might contribute to the early detection and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis. The results of antifungal susceptibility were aid in selecting the drug of choice for treatment.

A report of three cases and literature review of pulmonary cryptococcosis / 中国综合临床

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis.Methods The clinical data of 3 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis were analyzed and reviewed.Results The cases were tested by percutaneous lung biopsy and were confirmed by histopathologic examination.The sputum cultures were negative and serum latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination tests were positive.Two of them had mild to moderate symptoms and were treated by fluconazol;the other with meningitis had severe symptoms and was treated by amphotericin B.All of them were clinically cured.Conclusion Percutaneous lung biopsy combined with latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination tests is helpful for diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis.Patients with mild to moderate symptoms should be firstly treated by fluconazol and those with severe symptoms or meningitis,by amphotericin B.

Primary Pulmonary Cryptococcosis:A Retrospective Analysis of Sixteen Cases / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical pathologic features and therapeutic tools of pulmonary cryptococcosis.METHODS The clinical data about 16 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis which were diagnosed by histopathologic examinations were reviewed.The survey data recorded over a 15-year period,from 1982 to 2007,were summarized.We analyzed their clinical situations,radiographic manifestations,final diagnosis and therapeutic tools.RESULTS The majority of the patients were middle-aged males.The health condition of the most of the patients was good before infection.six months to five years after surgery and antifungal theragy,no relapse,dissemination and death were observed.CONCLUSIONS The majority of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis patients have not underlying diseases,and their radiography manifestations show single or multiple nodular shadows,tumor shadows and infiltrative shadows.The limited pathological change can be excised and applied with the antifungal drugs.Fluconazole is the first-choice drug for curing pulmonary cryptococcosis.

A Case of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a non-infectious opportunistic or silent infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. It enters the body through the respiratory tract and spreads to lung, skin, liver, and lymphoid organs. Recently its incidence has been gradually increasing because of developing diagnostic tools, increased use of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, increased survival rate of patients with chronic diseases, and increased incidence of immunodeficiency syndrome. We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was being treated with low dose glucocorticoid, methotrexate and cyclosporine for 14 months.

Pulmonary Cryptococcosis after Chemotherapy in a Patient with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma / 감염과화학요법

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is monoclonal expansion of malignant B or T cells. The immunocompromised status in this disease is accompanied by many infections. The cryptococcosis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, frequently occurs in leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, and long-term steroid-using patients. Recent increasing incidence of fungal infection could be due to the spread of AIDS and transplantation. We experienced one patient with lung mass in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after three cycles of chemotherapy, which could not be discriminated from the newly developed lymphoma mass. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from the lung tissue obtained by thoracoscopic biopsy. Herein we report this case with brief review of pertinent literature.