Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in a healthy individual.

A 41-y-old male had been diagnosed as having community acquired pneumonia (CAP) with consolidations in the chest radiograph, fever and cough. Since clarithromycin and ss-lactam agents were not effective, bronchoscopic examination was performed. Indian ink staining of bronchial wash smears revealed yeast-like cells with a thick capsule, and Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated several d later. Serum glucuronoxylomannan antigen was > or = x 1024. The patient was treated with itraconazole for 16 weeks.