CUTANEOUS LOCALIZATIONS OF SYSTEMIC CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN A RENAL-TRANSPLANT PATIENT

Cryptococcosis is a systemic disease caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Cutaneous manifestations, although rare, may precede other organ involvements. A case of cutaneous cryptococcosis is described herein. The skin lesions in our patient (a 47-year old female with renal transplant) consisted of acute cellulitis over her left and right thighs, revealing a septicemic infection. The patient received immunosuppressive drugs (prednisone, azathioprine). Clinical, mycological and histopathological data are described in details. Amphotericin B and fluconazole were initially successful, but a relapse with Crytococcus meningitis required the adjunction of itracoonazole to treatment. This case report underlines the insufficient effectiveness of fluconazole and the success of itraconazole.