Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome manifesting as prostate nodule secondary to cryptococcal infection

Cryptococcal Prostatitis Forming Caseous and Suppurative Granulomas Diagnosed by Needle Biopsy: A Case Report

Cryptococcal granulomatous prostatitis is extremely rare, and there have been few reports of its diagnosis by prostate needle biopsy. The patient, an 81-year-old man, was receiving immunosuppressive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. He had an oropharyngeal ulcer, and it was diagnosed alongside a methotrexate-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A systemic imaging examination revealed a prostatic tumor-like mass clinically suspected to be prostatic cancer, and a needle biopsy was performed. The biopsy specimen showed various types of inflammatory cell infiltration, and suppurative granuloma and caseous granuloma were observed. Both granulomas showed multiple round and oval organisms that were revealed with Grocott methenamine silver staining. Acid-fast bacilli were not detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. We histologically diagnosed granulomatous prostatitis caused by Cryptococcus infection. Caseous granulomas often develop in the prostate after bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy for bladder cancer, although the possibility of cryptococcal granulomatous prostatitis should also be considered.

Incidental Finding of Cryptococcus on Prostate Biopsy for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Following Cardiac Transplant: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Cryptococcus is the third most common invasive fungal organism in immunocompromised patients, including transplant patients, and usually involves the central nervous system and lungs, with a median time to infection of 25 months. We report a case of Cryptococcus of the prostate gland, found as an incidental finding on prostate biopsy for prostate adenocarcinoma, four months following cardiac transplantation. CASE REPORT A 62-year-old male African-American who had a cardiac transplant four months previously, underwent a six-core prostate biopsy for a two-year history of increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and a recent history of non-specific urinary tract symptoms. A prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason grade 4+4=8, was diagnosed on histopathology, and 'foamy' cells were seen in the biopsies. Histochemical stains, including Grocott methenamine silver (GMS), and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) showed abundant round and oval 5-7 µm diameter fungal elements; mucicarmine highlighted the fungal polysaccharide capsule, diagnostic for Cryptococcus. Cryptococcal antigen detection was made by the latex agglutination test and cultures. We reviewed the literature and found 70 published cases (from 1946-2008) of Cryptococcus of the prostate gland, with only one previous case presenting five years following cardiac transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Fungal infections of the prostate are rare, and occur mainly in immunocompromised patients. We present a unique case of prostatic Cryptococcus found incidentally at four months following cardiac transplantation. This case report highlights the need to consider atypical fungal infection as a differential diagnosis for prostatitis in immunosuppressed patients, including transplant patients.

The etiology and management of acute prostatitis

Acute bacterial prostatitis is a common and clinically important genitourinary disorder. Patient populations who are at especially high risk of acute prostatitis include those with diabetes, cirrhosis, and suppressed immune systems. The cause is usually an ascending infection, but bacteria can also be introduced during transrectal prostate biopsy. Clinical presentation ranges from mild lower urinary tract symptoms to full sepsis. The causative organisms are usually similar to those that cause other common genitourinary infections, and include Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. Oral or intravenous antibiotics are usually effective for curing the infection and progression to chronic bacterial prostatitis is, therefore, uncommon. Immunosuppressed patients require special consideration, as bacterial prostatitis in these patients can be caused by atypical infecting organisms and might, therefore, require additional therapies. A lack of response to standard therapy can lead to complications such as a prostatic abscess or fistula.

Cryptococcosis of the upper genital tract

Upper genital tract infection by Cryptococcus neoformans has not previously been reported. We describe such a case, in order to alert clinicians to the existence of this rare infection. A 34-year-old woman with AIDS presented with chronic menorrhagia, fever, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Despite blood transfusions and hormonal therapy, her vaginal bleeding could not be controlled and she became hemodynamically unstable. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, at which time granulomatous peritonitis and prominent myometrial blood vessels were found. Histologic examination revealed cryptococcal infection of all upper genital organs. This case demonstrates that disseminated cryptococcosis may involve the upper genital tract in women, and may be associated with profuse vaginal bleeding.

How to diagnose and treat fungal infections in chronic prostatitis

Epidemiologic changes that include immune-compromised patients and drug-resistant fungi have caused an increase in nosocomial infections by Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species. Other fungi, aspergilla and Cryptococcus (environmental contaminants), are opportunistic invaders of the immune-compromised (transplant, HIV) patients. The environmental fungi Coccidioides immitis (dry arid areas), Histoplasma capsulatum (Avian-infested areas), and Blastomyces dermatitidis (aquatic areas) can cause infections in immune-competent and immune-deficient patients. Each fungus can cause changes in the prostate that mimic bacterial infection, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or neoplasm. Diagnosis can be established by urine cultures or needle biopsy of the prostate. Prostate surgery for carcinoma or benign enlargement may detect latent fungal infection. Different fungal species can have divergent clinical manifestations and require different treatment. In some cases, asymptomatic localized fungal prostatitis can be cured by removal of the infected gland. Symptomatic and disseminated infection may require prostatectomy and systemic antifungal therapy.

The management of chronic prostatitis in men with HIV

Prostatitis is a common urologic diagnosis. Although treatment algorithms are available for this poorly understood entity, several adaptations must be made in order to accommodate the therapeutic needs of HIV-positive patients. The most important consideration when treating HIV-infected patients for prostatitis is their current immune status, whether they are immunocompromised or not (non-progressive disease or reconstituted with highly active antiretroviral therapy). A treatment algorithm for those with chronic bacterial prostatitis (Category II), chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (Category IIIA), and prostatodynia (Category IIIB) is presented in this article. In the HIV-positive patient population, there is a greater likelihood for atypical pathogens including fungi, tuberculosis, anaerobes, and viruses. Because the HIV-infected patient is at increased risk for the development of prostatic abscess and urosepsis than the general population, increased monitoring and evaluation and longer-term appropriately directed antimicrobial therapy are required.

Granulomatous cryptococcal prostatitis diagnosed by transrectal biopsy

Cryptococcal infection primarily involves the lung and is hematogenously spread to other organs. Sometimes it might affect the genitourinary tract, and rare cases have been reported involving the prostate without systemic infection. We report a case of granulomatous prostatitis as a result of Cryptococcus neoformans yeast in an immunocompromised patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, which was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy and treated with antifungal medication.

Cryptococcosis

A case of cryptococcosis is presented in this review: its prostatic localization is considered to be extremely unusual.

The relevant diagnostic course and therapeutic treatment are discussed, taking into account the fact that this mycotic infectious disease occurs in immunodepressed subjects.

AIDS and the urologist

The management of HIV infection has dramatically altered the natural history of the disease. Prevention of opportunistic infections and the development of HAART regimens altered the manifestations and conditions that urologists are being asked to evaluate and manage in this patient population.

Mycoses of the urogenital tract

Mycotic infections of the urogenital tract are rarely caused by primary fungal pathogens, often however, by opportunistic fungi such as Candida species. Opportunistic fungi infect the urogenital tract either by haematogenous spread from a distant site, or a break of tissue integrity, or by retrograde ascension from the perianal region, or by wound contamination. After an initial polymorphonuclear reaction macrophages may invade giving rise to a granulomatous response. Risk factors for mycotic urogenital infections are extremes of age, long lasting and broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, malignancy, x-ray therapy, contaminated i.-v. catheters, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, surgery, obstructive uropathy and indwelling urethral catheters.

Cryptococcal prostatitis in a patient with Behçet's disease treated with fluconazole

A 55-year-old man with Behçet's disease presented acute urinary retention due to Cryptococcus neoformans infection of the prostate. The disease was localized to the prostate. The infection was successfully treated only with fluconazole. The patient remains well without evidence of systemic or local infection at 32 months.

Genitourinary manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

As the number of HIV-1 infected individuals and AIDS patients continues to increase, more cases involving the genitourinary tract will be encountered. Often, genitourinary manifestations will be the initial presentation of AIDS. Proper diagnosis will require awareness and a high index of suspicion. In addition to routine cultures, opportunistic infections with unusual organisms will require staining for fungi and acid-fast bacilli. Repeat cultures of blood, urine, seminal fluid, and abscess cavities may be required to establish a diagnosis. Prolonged courses of antibiotic treatment for prophylaxis and for relapses are usually required. Clinical understaging and rapid progression of tumors distinguish HIV-1-associated malignancies involving the genitourinary tract. Treatment for these malignancies will depend on the stage of HIV-1 infection. Any concomitant drug therapy and evidence of malnutrition will be important factors in selecting the proper timing and mode of therapeutic intervention. Although AIDS predominantly affects individuals between 30 and 50 years of age, an increasing percentage of patients over 50 years of age are being diagnosed. Common risk factors for acquisition of HIV include homosexuality or bisexuality and transfusion of blood or blood products. For the urologist, it is important to recognize that older patients more frequently present with AIDS at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection. A more rapid course of deterioration and high mortality is noted in this population. Clearly, protocols including surveillance, dosing regimens, and surgical intervention will need to be established and clarified to treat an anticipated increasing number of affected patients. In addition, it appears that adequate adherence to universal precautions is far from being achieved. Close monitoring and active surveillance of infection control may be needed to improve compliance.