Cryptococcus neoformans Cellulitis with Cryptococcemia in a Patient on Maintenance Hemodialysis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. Skin lesions are found in 10-20% of systemic cryptococcal infections, usually secondary to cryptococcemia, while primary cutaneous cryptococcosis with cryptococcemia is very rare. We report a case of rapidly spreading cryptococcal cellulitis in a 64-year-old male on maintenance hemodialysis taking steroids for encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis. Bluish bullous cellulitis developed on the left forearm and spread rapidly to the other forearm. We identified C. neoformans in the blood and skin lesions. We treated him successfully with liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole for 15 months. We also review the literature.