Open AccessCryptococcus infection with asymptomatic diffuse pulmonary disease in an immunocompetent patient: A case report
Author(s) -
Yong Li,
Lei Fang,
Fangqun Chang,
Fangzhou Xu,
Yanbei Zhang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world journal of clinical cases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.368
H-Index - 10
ISSN - 2307-8960
DOI - 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i11.2619
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , cryptococcus , immunocompetence , dermatology , disease , pulmonary disease , pathology , pulmonary infection , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , biology
Cryptococcus presenting as an opportunistic pathogen mainly affects immunocompromised patients, but the disseminated form of infection is rare among immunocompetent populations. The partial radiographic characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis mimic lung carcinoma, leading to unnecessary open chest exploratory surgery, and the lack of a gold-standard noninvasive diagnostic increases the risk of misdiagnosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), a sensitive method for distinguishing malignant tumors, coupled with cryptococcal latex agglutination test showing a high positive rate may overcome these issues.