[Retrospective analysis of seven cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To understand the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis.

METHODS:

Patients diagnosed as having pulmonary cryptococcosis in the past 15 years were retrospectively studied. Their demographic data, respiratory symptoms, diagnostic methods, chest radiograph, immune state, antifungal therapy and follow-up results were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Thirty cases of cryptococcosis were diagnosed, of which 7 were diagnosed as having pulmonary cryptococcosis, one of them presented with concomitant meningitis. Of the 7 patients, 4 were male and 3 were female, with a median age of 41.8. All were HIV negative; one case was immunocompromised with a history of colon cancer and glucocorticoid therapy for 8 months, while others were immunocompetent. Three patients complained of low fever or cough and sputum, while 4 others presented no symptoms. The X-ray and chest CT showed unilateral or bilateral patches, nodules or cavities. The diagnosis was made by pathology and bacterial culture of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Amphotericin B plus flucytosine were initially given to 4 patients, all of them developed liver and renal abnormalities to some degree after therapy. Three patients were given fluconazole or itraconazole initially. All the 7 patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis responded favorably to antifungal therapy and the prognosis was good.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinically pulmonary cryptococcosis was less common than cryptococcal meningitis. Pathology and cryptococcal culture were essential to the diagnosis. For immunocompetent patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis, the prognosis was good.

• Authors: Bin Cao, Yuanjue Zhu, Wenbing Xu, Longyun Li, Xiuli Xie, Peng Wang, Weixun Zhou, Quancai Cui, Xiaoguang Li
• Journal: Zhonghua jie he he hu xi za zhi = Zhonghua jiehe he huxi zazhi = Chinese journal of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases (Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi) Vol. 25 Issue 10 Pg. 610-2 (Oct 2002) ISSN: 1001-0939 [Print] China
• PMID: 12490129 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cryptococcosis (diagnosis, therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Diseases, Fungal (diagnosis, therapy)
• Male
• Meningitis, Cryptococcal (diagnosis)
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies