Pulmonary cryptococcosis in late pregnancy and review of published literature.

Naturally occurring maternal immunosuppression increases the risk of infection by a variety of pathogens during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Pulmonary cryptococcosis during pregnancy is relatively rare. Here, we report on two cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis during pregnancy and puerperium. Both cases were successfully treated using oral fluconazole after parturition to avoid fetal toxicity. For the two patients, the placentas were checked and found to be pathologically normal, and the cryptococcal serum antigen in both infants was negative. Pulmonary cryptococcosis should be considered during differential diagnosis as a possible cause of abnormal chest shadow in pregnant patients.