Pulmonary cryptococcosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed extensive pneumonia due to Cryptococcus neoformans. A presumptive diagnosis based on results of a Wright's stain of the sputum was made and appropriate antifungal therapy was started. C neoformans was cultured in COUNTS AS HIGH AS 8 X 10(5)/ml of sputum and was present morphologically for three weeks after sputum cultures had become negative. During the patient's first week of hospitalization, C neoformans was cultured from sputum and on cough plates but from no other source in his room. This suggests the possibility of transmitting the fungus to susceptible persons by droplets from patients having extensive pulmonary cryptococcosis.