[Cryptococcosis in Hospital Carlos Van Buren, Valparaiso: a clinical serie].

BACKGROUND

Cryptococcosis is a severe opportunistic mycotic infection, caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans. It can present as meningitis, pneumonia or cryptococcemia.

AIM: To characterize patients with Cryptococcus infection between January 1°, 2013 and June 30, 2016, in Hospital Carlos van Buren, Valparaíso, Chile.

METHODS

We identified retrospectively those cultures with Cryptococcus sp. growth, and then obtained their clinical files which were analyzed by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

We were able to obtain data from 13 of 15 patients who presented with Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Out of all, 11 (84.6%) were males, with a median age of 35 years old. 11 (84,6%) were HIV positive, 1 (7,7%) had chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 1 (7,7%) refered alcohol abuse. Out of the 15 episodes, 9 (60%) had meningeal infection; 5 (33.3%) were cryptococcemia without meningeal involvement and 1 (6.6%) presented as a pulmonary infection. Eight patients were deceased at one year follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryptococcus sp. infection must be suspected in patients with cellular immunodeficiencies. Meningeal involvement is the most frequent form of clinical presentation. It still has a high mortality rate.