Pulmonary cryptococcosis misdiagnosed as smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis with fatal consequences

Abstract

HIV-associated pulmonary cryptococcosis is under diagnosed, and may progress to fatal meningoencephalitis. We present a case of HIV-associated pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection, initially mis-diagnosed as smear-negative pulmonary TB, which progressed to fatal cryptococcal meningitis. Autopsy series suggest that pulmonary cryptococcosis is common in African AIDS patients, and, due to limited diagnostic capacity, often mis-diagnosed as smear negative TB. Serum cryptococcal antigen testing may facilitate diagnosis in such cases.