Cryptococcal pericarditis in a heart transplant recipient

Transpl Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;22(6):e13366. doi: 10.1111/tid.13366. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Abstract

We present a case of Cryptococcus neoformans pericarditis in a cardiac transplant recipient. This article reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of cryptococcosis specifically in transplant patients. While pericarditis is a rare manifestation of Cryptococcus infection, this case highlights that cryptococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for solid organ transplant and immunocompromised patients presenting with pericardial effusions.

Keywords: Cryptococcus neoformans; heart transplant; pericarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis / therapy
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification*
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Pericardiocentesis / methods
  • Pericarditis / diagnosis*
  • Pericarditis / microbiology
  • Pericarditis / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole