Cryptococcal lymphadenitis-First presentation in an HIV-positive patient.

Cryptococcal infection is a life-threatening, opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. The infection most commonly begins in the respiratory tract, with secondary involvement of the brain, skin, and lymph nodes. We report a rare case of isolated cervical cryptococcal lymphadenitis diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology, which was the initial presentation of secondary immunodeficiency in the patient. Periodic acid-Schiff stain, India ink preparation, and culture were done to confirm the diagnosis. He was diagnosed as HIV-positive on further investigation.