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Shi J, Chen J, Hu L, Song Q, Qian G. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory features of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis with regard to serum lateral flow assay. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1234474. [PMID: 38818403 PMCID: PMC11138259 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1234474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcosis is the second most common invasive yeast infection in China. Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is difficult to diagnose due to the lack of specific clinical features and the limitation of diagnostic techniques. Although lateral flow assay was very useful in diagnosing cryptococcal infection, quite a few patients with PC presented negative serum lateral flow assay (sLFA). Methods We conducted a retrospective study of HIV-negative patients who were diagnosed with PC in our hospital over the past decade to explore the potential relationship between the clinical profiles and sLFA in PC. Results In total, 112 patients with sLFA tested were enrolled in this study, of which 58.93% were male. The positivity rate of sLFA for PC was 91.07%. The extent of pulmonary lesions was positively correlated with sLFA grade (Spearman r = 0.268, p < 0.01). Solitary nodule (SN) and pneumonia were the most common imaging findings in PC with negative and positive sLFA respectively. Among 65 symptomatic PC patients, 14 presented with fever and had higher hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level and more extensive pulmonary involvement (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05) than those without fever. Symptomatic PC patients were more likely to have positive results of sLFA (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.05) compared against asymptomatic ones. Discussion In conclusion, negative sLFA cannot exclude PC in patients with a solitary nodule in lung. Positive sLFA is more reliable in diagnosing PC in symptomatic patients with diffused lesions in lung who generally experience a more severe systemic inflammatory reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiejun Shi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhua Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liqing Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qifa Song
- Medical Data Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoqing Qian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Zhang F, Zhou Y, Tang X, Li M. Identification of risk factors for disseminated cryptococcosis in non-hiv patients: a retrospective analysis. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:612. [PMID: 38115055 PMCID: PMC10731787 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors associated with disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative individuals. METHODS A total of 106 HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal disease were enrolled. The observation group consisted of patients with disseminated cryptococcosis (DC), whereas the control groups included patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) and cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression algorithms were used to explore the significant clinical and laboratory characteristics that affect the progression of cryptococcal infections. Finally, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves are applied to assess the diagnostic value of identified risk factors.LE: Kindly check the edit made in the title.I agree RESULTS: Of the 106 patients, 57 were diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis, 22 with cryptococcal meningitis, and 27 with disseminated cryptococcosis. The logistic regression equation included five variables: diabetes, decompensated liver cirrhosis, long-term use of immunosuppressive agents, decreased serum albumin level, and elevated plasma cytokine IL-10 level. The ROC curves showed that albumin (AUC > 0.7), IL-10 (AUC > 0.7) and decompensated liver cirrhosis (AUC > 0.6) have relatively high diagnostic capacity in predicting the progression of Cryptococcus. CONCLUSION This study identified elevated IL-10 levels as an independent risk factor for developing disseminated cryptococcosis in the control groups. Furthermore, decompensated liver cirrhosis and decreased serum albumin independently affected the progression of cryptococcosis in the CM and PC groups, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqing Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhongxing Road, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Xiaoqi Tang
- School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhongxing Road, Shaoxing, 312000, China.
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Lee SY, Song YJ, Lee G, Yoon HJ, Choi KU, Suh DS, Kim KH. Pulmonary cryptococcosis masquerading as lung metastasis in gynecologic cancers: Two case reports. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36274. [PMID: 38013319 PMCID: PMC10681445 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Pulmonary cryptococcal infections occur mainly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with malignancies. Preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) can be challenging for both clinicians and radiologists because of nonspecific clinical manifestations and variable radiologic features, as it is easily misdiagnosed as metastatic lung cancer. PATIENT CONCERNS In case 1, a 76-year-old woman with a history of cervical cancer presented with lung nodules detected on chest computed tomography (CT) 13 months after completing concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In case 2, a 56-year-old woman with a history of ovarian cancer presented with pulmonary nodules on chest CT 19 months after completing chemotherapy. Both patients were clinically asymptomatic, and tumor markers were not elevated. DIAGNOSES In case 1, chest CT revealed multiple enhanced nodules with lobulated margins in the left lower lobe, and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT showed uptake in the nodule with a standardized uptake value of 3.7. In case 2, chest CT revealed several nodules in the right upper lobe abutting the right major fissure, and PET-CT revealed fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the nodules. Pathology revealed granulomatous inflammation with cryptococcal infection, and mucicarmine and periodic acid-Schiff staining confirmed cryptococcal infection in both cases. INTERVENTIONS Presumptive diagnoses of lung metastases were made in both cases and thoracoscopic lobectomy was performed. Postoperatively, the patients received antifungal therapy with fluconazole. OUTCOMES PC was differentially diagnosed and effectively managed. The patients remained disease-free for both PC and gynecological cancers during subsequent follow-ups. LESSONS Recognition that PC can mimic lung metastasis is important for managing gynecological cancers. PC should be considered in the differential diagnosis when single or multiple nodules are detected on chest radiography without elevation of tumor markers in patients with gynecological cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Yi Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jung Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Geewon Lee
- Department of Radiology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Soo Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hyung Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Xiong C, Lu J, Chen T, Xu R. Comparison of the clinical manifestations and chest CT findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pulm Med 2022; 22:415. [PMID: 36369001 PMCID: PMC9652893 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of our study was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review to compare differences in clinical manifestations and chest computed tomography (CT) findings between immunocompetent and immunocompromised pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) patients. Methods An extensive search for relevant studies was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Sciences databases from inception to September 30, 2021. We included studies that compared the clinical manifestations and chest CT findings between immunocompetent and immunocompromised PC patients. Study bias and quality assessment were performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results Nine studies involving 248 immunocompromised and 276 immunocompetent PC patients were included in our analysis. The NOS score of each eligible study was above 5, indicating moderate bias. The proportion of elderly patients (> = 60 years old) in the immunosuppressed group was significantly higher than that in the immunocompetent group (OR = 2.90, 95% CI (1.31–6.43), Z = 2.63, p = 0.01). Fever (OR = 7.10, 95% CI (3.84–13.12), Z = 6.25, p < 0.000) and headache (OR = 6.92, 95% CI (2.95–16.26), Z = 4.44, p < 0.000) were more common in immunosuppressed patients. According to thin-section CT findings, lesions were more frequently distributed in the upper lobe (OR = 1.90, 95% CI (1.07–3.37), Z = 2.2, p = 0.028) in immunocompromised individuals. The proportions of patients with cavity sign (OR = 5.11, 95% CI (2.96–8.83), Z = 5.86, p = 0.00), ground-glass attenuation (OR = 5.27, 95% CI (1.60–17.35), Z = 2.73, p = 0.01), and mediastinal lymph node enlargement (OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.12–5.20), Z = 2.24, p = 0.03) were significantly higher in immunocompromised patients. Conclusion No significant differences in nonspecific respiratory symptoms were found between immunocompromised and immunocompetent PC patients. Nevertheless, fever and headache were more common in immunocompromised patients. Among the CT findings, cavity, ground-glass attenuation, and mediastinal lymph node enlargement were more common in immunocompromised individuals. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02175-9.
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Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment, and Laboratory Detection of 50 Cases of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7981472. [PMID: 35924106 PMCID: PMC9343196 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7981472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical diagnosis, treatment process, and laboratory test data of patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis to improve the understanding and diagnosis and treatment ability of the disease. Methods Patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from October 2003 to July 2021 were selected, and their medical records were consulted. The general data, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, imaging characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment methods were studied. The software SPSS 22 was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 50 patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis were included in the study. The ratio of male to female was 1 : 1. The average age was 53.56 ± 11.99 years with a range of 27-82 years. Grouping the patients by age, with 10 years as an age group, we found that 40-60 years was the high-incidence age group. Two patients (4%) had a history of bird contact, and 18 patients (36%) had at least one underlying conditions. Hypertension and cough were the most common underlying condition and clinical manifestation, respectively. The main admission diagnoses were lung shadow (19/50, 38%) and chest/lung mass (15/50, 30%). In the imaging findings, the most common type of lesions was nodule/nodule shadow (29/69, 42.03%). Lesion distribution in the lower lobe, single lobe, and right lung was more frequent than that in the upper lobe, multilobes, and left lung, respectively. Burr sign (12/43, 27.91%) was the most common concomitant sign. Pulmonary ventilatory defect was found in 7 cases. Laboratory test results were largely nonspecific. The pathological examination showed granuloma, with 47 cases (94%) confirmed by postoperative biopsy. Two cases (4%) were confirmed by serology. One case (2%) was diagnosed with Cryptococcus smear. 43 cases (86%) were treated with simple surgical resection, 6 cases (12%) were treated with antifungal drugs, and 1 case (2%) was transferred to another hospital for suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions Pulmonary cryptococcosis is more common in the middle-aged and elderly, and the clinical specificity is low. It can occur in people with normal or impaired immune function. The main clinical and imaging manifestation is cough and pulmonary nodules, which are very easy 5to be misdiagnosed. Surgical resection is the primary treatment.
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Nielsen MC, Peterson JM, Shine B, Hornak JP, Esechie A, Bhatt S, Desai K, Dabi A, Felicella MM, Ren P. A Fatal Fungal Infection of Cryptococcus gattii (VGI) Meningitis in Texas. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac236. [PMID: 35854998 PMCID: PMC9277648 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is an under-recognized cause of meningitis, especially in non-endemic regions. This report details C. gattii disease progression from admission to autopsy in an otherwise healthy 40-year-old male in Texas. It brings awareness to an often unsuspected organism that can cause severe infection requiring early recognition and treatment in immunocompetent individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa C. Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Joshua M. Peterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Billie Shine
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - J. Patrik Hornak
- Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Aimalohi Esechie
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sandeep Bhatt
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Kinjal Desai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Alok Dabi
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Wang WY, Zheng YL, Jiang LB. Cryptococcal antigen testing of lung tissue homogenate improves pulmonary cryptococcosis diagnosis: Two case reports. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:3893-3898. [PMID: 35647158 PMCID: PMC9100706 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i12.3893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is an opportunistic infectious disease of the respiratory system. Lung tissue biopsies, culture of respiratory samples (e.g., sputum, lung tissue, pleural fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid), and cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing are helpful for a definitive diagnosis. However, these tests are sometimes falsely negative. PC is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed owing to the absence of obvert symptoms, poor imaging specificity, and false-negative laboratory tests.
CASE SUMMARY We report two female patients who underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle pulmonary biopsy of a lung nodule for a confirmed diagnosis. In both patients, the CrAg test on the lung biopsy tissue homogenate was positive, while the serum CrAg test was negative. Combined with the lung tissue pathology, we made the diagnosis of PC. Antifungal therapy was effective in both patients.
CONCLUSION Given the findings of our cases and the literature review, lung tissue homogenate CrAg testing can be helpful in improving the diagnosis of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yu-Lu Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li-Bin Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
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Wang DX, Zhang Q, Wen QT, Ding GX, Wang YG, Du FX, Zhang TY, Zheng XY, Cong HY, Du YL, Sang JZ, Wang MD, Zhang SX. Comparison of CT findings and histopathological characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5712. [PMID: 35383254 PMCID: PMC8983692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09794-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is a common fungal infectious disease, and infection can occur in patients with any immune function. To better understand PC, we compared the CT findings and histopathological results in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. The clinical data of 68 patients with PC were collected retrospectively and divided into the immunocompetent group and immunocompromised group. The clinical characteristics, CT manifestations and histopathological characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared. Forty-two patients (61.8%) were immunocompetent, and 26 patients (38.2%) were immunocompromised. Compared with immunocompromised patients, 57.14% (24/42) of immunocompetent patients were asymptomatic (p = 0.002). Compared with immunocompetent patients, cough (14/26, 53.9%) and fever (13/26, 50.0%) were the main symptoms in immunocompromised patients (p = 0.044, p = 0.007). Nodular lesions (97.6%, 41/42) were the most common CT type in immunocompetent patients, and the CT characteristic was a single lesion (25/42, 59.5%); the main histopathological type was nodular fibrogranuloma (30/42, 71.4%), and the main histopathological characteristic was inflammatory granuloma (31/42, 73.81%) formed by macrophage phagocytosis of Cryptococcus. Consolidation (15/26, 57.7%) was more common in the CT type of immunocompromised patients. Multiple lesions (24/26, 92.31%), air bronchial signs (19/26, 73.081%) and cavities (9/26, 34.62%) were the main CT characteristics. The mucinous colloid type (19/26, 73.1%) was its main histopathological type, which was mainly characterized by a small amount of surrounding inflammatory cell infiltration (17/26, 65.4%). There were significant differences in the classification and characteristics of CT and pathology between the two groups (p < 0.05). Through the CT manifestations and histopathological characteristics of PC under different immune function states, it was found that immune function has a significant impact on the CT manifestations and histopathological characteristics of patients with PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Xu Wang
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Qing Zhang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Jing Shun East Street, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Qiu-Ting Wen
- Department of Pathology, Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Guo-Xu Ding
- Party Committee Office, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yu-Guang Wang
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Feng-Xia Du
- Department of Microbiology, Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Tian-Yu Zhang
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Zheng
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hou-Yi Cong
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - You-Li Du
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jun-Zhi Sang
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ming-da Wang
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shan-Xin Zhang
- Departments of CT, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, 161006, Heilongjiang, China
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Liu H, Shen S, Wang Q. Recurrent pulmonary cryptococcosis during chronic HBV infection: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e28250. [PMID: 34918692 PMCID: PMC8677983 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Pulmonary cryptococcosis is one of the important opportunistic infections and has a wide range of symptoms depending on the underlying conditions. Here, we reported a case living with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who had a recurrent pulmonary cryptococcosis. PATIENT CONCERNS A 51-year-old male patient was admitted to our center because of cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath for 2 weeks. DIAGNOSIS Pulmonary infection was suggested by chest computed tomography. Most lab examinations for infection were negative and only cryptococcal antigen testing was positive. Therefore, a clinical diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis was made. INTERVENTIONS Fluconazole (200 mg/day) and bicyclol (50 mg/day) was given orally. OUTCOMES During the follow-up of 3 and 6 months, his conditions improved, and he recovered fully. Moreover, cryptococcal antigen level was 12.57 ng/mL. During the 2-year follow-up, no recurrence occurred. LESSONS This case highlights the importance of the awareness of opportunistic infections during chronic hepatitis B virus infection, especially the potential of recurrence.
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