Cryptococcal tonsillitis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an unusual manifestation of cryptococcal disease.

We present a case of chronic tonsillitis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Despite empiric radiation and antibiotic therapy, the patient's sore throat and tonsillar enlargement persisted. Excisional biopsy of the involved tonsil revealed the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans. Blood cultures also yielded cryptococcus. Specific antifungal therapy resulted in cure. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of cryptococcal infection of the tonsil. This case illustrates the pitfalls of empiric therapy in an immunosuppressed host.