Pulmonary Cryptococcosis: Report of 2 cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous fungus found worldwide, particularly in soil contaminated by pigeon droppings. Pulmonary cryptococcosis occurs rarely in immunocompetent individuals. The risk of cryptococcal infection increases with the degree of immunal compromise, in human immunodeficiency virus infection especially. Pulmonary cryptococcosis is most frequently encountered as asymptomatic single or multiple pulmonary nodules found by routine chest x-ray examination. The diagnosis is most often made in these situations by the histology of the resected lesion. Acute progressive pneumonia may occur, with symptoms of cough, sputum production, fever, and weakness. The clinical picture is not pathognomonic. The yeasts are stained well by any of the special stains for fungi. Treatment is now indicated for all cases given a diagnosis of cryptococcosis, even if the diagnosis has been made by resecton of a solitary, asymptomatic pulmonary nodule.