disseminated cryptococcosis

People who have defects in their cell-mediated immunity, for example, people with AIDS, are especially susceptible to disseminated cryptococcosis.

Before the advent of potent ART, approximately 5%--8% of HIV-infected patients in developed countries acquired disseminated cryptococcosis (591).

This is the only known thermally dimorphic species of Penicillium, and it can cause a lethal systemic infection (penicilliosis) with fever and anaemia similar to disseminated cryptococcosis.

Disseminated cryptococcosis can be associated with cutaneous lesions, including small, translucent umbilicated papules (indistinguishable from molluscum contagiosum), nodules, ulcers, and infiltrated plaques resembling cellulitis.

Patients with severe pulmonary disease or disseminated cryptococcosis should be treated with amphotericin B with or without the addition of flucytosine, as for CNS disease (AIII).