Pulmonary cryptococcosis in AIDS.

Cryptococcus neoformans is emerging as an important etiologic agent of disseminated infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Little attention has been placed on the pulmonary expression of this systemic infection. We report five patients with AIDS and cryptococcosis with primary pulmonary involvement. Patients usually presented with fever, cough, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Chest x-ray findings varied from localized and diffuse infiltration to lymphadenopathy and pleural effusions. All patients developed disseminated disease despite antifungal therapy. Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a frequent presentation of this infection in patients with AIDS.