Disseminated cryptococcosis presenting as herpetiform lesions in a homosexual man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A 31-year-old homosexual man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had cutaneous herpetiform lesions that showed numerous encapsulated organisms on Tzanck preparation. Subsequent cultures of cerebrospinal fluid and skin biopsy specimens substantiated a diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis. Cutaneous cryptococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for skin lesions in the population with AIDS.