Osteolyttic cryptococcal infection without immunodeficiency: a case report

A 54-year-old previously healthy man presented with paraplegia. CT scan showed a lytic lesion of the sixth dorsal vertebra and cord compression suggesting malignant metastasis. Open biopsy of the vertebra showed a granulomatous lesion with Cryptococcus spores. Culture for fungus confirmed an A serotype Cryptococcus neoformans. HIV and HTLV-1 antibody tests were negative. Surgical treatment combined with oral fluconazole was without clinical or CT scan resolution within a follow-up of three months. The paper underlines the role of the pathologist in the diagnosis of mycotic diseases (AU)