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Cryptococcosis presenting as upper limb cellulitis and ulceration: A case series
Author(s) -
Fallah Haady,
Watson Alan,
Henderson Christopher JA,
Woodford Phillip,
Bothman John,
McCrossin Ian
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00820.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cellulitis , cryptococcosis , dermatology , skin biopsy , prednisolone , surgery , biopsy , presentation (obstetrics) , radiology , pathology
We report four cases of cryptococcosis presenting as upper limb cellulitis or ulceration, or both. Three of the four patients were on long‐term prednisolone therapy at the time of presentation. In each case, the diagnosis of cryptococcosis was established by a biopsy of the skin. Only one of the four patients had conclusive evidence of disseminated disease. Our cases highlight the importance of skin biopsy in immunosuppressed individuals presenting with cellulitis, particularly when the cellulitis occurs in an atypical location and when the clinical condition fails to respond to standard antibacterial therapy.