Disseminated Cryptococcosis Revealing an HIV Infection: A Case Report.

Cryptococcosis is a common fungal infection regarded as a disease of immunocompromised patients with high mortality. Cryptococcosis is usually observed in the central nervous system and lungs. However, other organs may be involved such as skin, soft tissue, and bones. Disseminated cryptococcosis is defined as fungemia or the involvement of two distinct sites. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old female patient with disseminated cryptococcosis with neuro-meningeal and pulmonary involvement revealing a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Chest computed tomography scan showed a right apical excavated lesion, pulmonary nodules, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Concerning biological tests, hemoculture, sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture were positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. The latex agglutination test for cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen was positive in CSF and serum and HIV infection was confirmed by serological testing. The patient did not respond to initial antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and flucytosine. Despite the adaptation of antifungal treatment, the patient died of respiratory distress.

Cardiac Echinococcosis With Hepatic Involvement in a Child: A Case Report.

Hydatidosis is endemic in Morocco. Cardiac localization of hydatid disease is a rare entity. Involvement of the interventricular septum is even rarer. We report the case of a 6-year-old girl with combined hepatocardiac hydatid disease. She was admitted with complaints of dyspnea, asthenia and vomiting. Ultrasound imaging and CT scan showed cystic lesions in the interventricular septum and in the liver. Serologic test results were positive. According to the biological and radiological findings, the diagnosis of echinococcosis with cardiac and hepatic involvement was suggested. Complete excision of the cardiac cyst was performed followed by anthelminthic treatment with albendazole as a supportive therapy. The confirmative diagnosis of hydatid disease was made by microscopic examination of the removed material. Our patient was referred to the department of general surgery to treat the liver lesions in the future. The postoperative period was unremarkable.

Multiple Cerebral Hydatid Cysts: A Case Report.

Hydatidosis is an endemic disease in Morocco. Intracranial localization is relatively unaccustomed and usually occurs in a solitary form. It is even rarer to find multiple intracranial hydatid cysts. Patients are frequently children and young adults. We report the case of a 22-year-old woman with recurrent multiple cerebral hydatid disease occurring seven years after resection of a primary cyst. She was admitted due to high intracranial pressure and generalized seizures. Brain CT scan showed several intracranial multivesicular cysts in the left parieto-occipital region with localized calcifications. According to the radiological results and patient story, the diagnosis of cerebral hydatidosis was presumed. The patient underwent complete excision of the cysts followed by medical therapy. The parasitological and histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis. The transient neurological deficit was the only postoperative complication improved, thanks to reeducation in the early phase. The patient was discharged in good condition with no other complications at the follow-up.