Disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans infection associated to COVID-19

Diana Alegre-González; Sabina Herrera; Javier Bernal; Alex Soriano; Marta Bodro

doi:10.1016/j.mmcr.2021.10.001

Disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans infection associated to COVID-19

Med Mycol Case Rep. 2021 Dec:34:35-37. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 22.

Authors

Diana Alegre-González¹, Sabina Herrera², Javier Bernal², Alex Soriano², Marta Bodro²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital San Pedro, Logroño, 26007, Spain.
² Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, 08036, Spain.

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus associated with immune dysregulation. The use of immunosuppressant drugs as part of COVID-19 treatment (such as Tocilizumab or high -dose corticosteroids) increases the risk of opportunistic infections. Here we present a case of a patient without prior immunosuppression that developed a serious fungal infection after the use of high dose corticosteroids in the setting of severe COVID-19 and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.

Keywords: COVID-19; Corticosteroids; Cryptococcus neoformans.

Publication types

Case Reports