Endobronchial cryptococcosis in AIDS

Respirology. 2003 Sep;8(3):386-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.2003.00452.x.

Abstract

Although cryptococcosis is a common thoracic complication among patients with AIDS, endobronchial abnormalities have rarely been reported. A 45-year-old man presented with a productive cough, fever, and headache. His CD4+ cell count was 7/mm3 and testing for antibodies to HIV-1 was positive. Radiological examination revealed consolidation in the left lung, including cavitation. Bronchoscopic examination demonstrated white, slightly raised, plaque-like lesions in the trachea and left bronchi. Histopathological examination of endobronchial biopsy specimens revealed granulation tissue with abundant encapsulated yeast in the tissue. Cryptococcus neoformans was cultured from the bronchial lavage specimen. Cryptococcal infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of endobronchial abnormalities in patients with AIDS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Bronchoscopy
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged