Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
- Cited by SciELO
- Access statistics
Related links
- Cited by Google
- Similars in SciELO
- Similars in Google
Share
Revista Médica de Risaralda
Print version ISSN 0122-0667
Abstract
TELLO, Mercedes et al. Cryptococcosis. Revista médica Risaralda [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.2, pp.147-153. ISSN 0122-0667.
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection of worldwide distribution, mainly produced by the complex Cryptococcus neoformans / Cryptococcus gattii, both are widely distributed in nature, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Generally the gateway is through inhalation and later spread to other regions of the body, especially the central nervous system. The diagnosis is performed by direct observation of the fungus, histopathology, culture isolation and the presence of capsular antigen. Cutaneous manifestations may be for primary inoculation to the skin, called primary cutaneous cryptococcosis or for hematogenous spread as part of a systemic disease, which is called secondary cutaneous cryptococcosis. The main differences are a previous trauma, lower percentage of immunocompromised patients and single lesions confined to the hands or bare spots in the first case. Although the incidence of cryptococcosis has decreased with highly active antiretroviral therapy, is still prevalent in regions where there is not access to this treatment, also the skin manifestations are difficult to recognize what is important for the physician to consider this diagnosis in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus or patients with traumatic history exposed to ecology of the fungus as pigeon excreta, soil or decaying wood.
Keywords : cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus gattii; Cryptococcus neoformans.