Disseminated Cryptococcosis Presenting as Miliary Lung Shadows in an Immunocompetent Child

J Trop Pediatr. 2018 Oct 1;64(5):434-437. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmx083.

Abstract

Disseminated cryptococcosis is infrequent in immunocompetent children. Pulmonary and central nervous system are the commonly involved sites of infection in an immunocompromised host. We report a fatal case of disseminated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent host presenting as fever of unknown origin with miliary shadows on chest radiograph, mimicking tuberculosis. In countries with the heavy burden of tuberculosis, a high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis of its close mimics like disseminated cryptococcosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fever of Unknown Origin*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Radiography
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents