Cryptococcus neoformans fungemia in a liver transplant patient: Case report and literature review

J Infect Chemother. 2025 Feb;31(2):102496. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2024.08.011. Epub 2024 Aug 14.

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental fungus that can frequently cause life-threatening meningitis and fungemia in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. In recent years, cases of these fungal infections are increasingly identified in HIV-negative patients especially in solid organ transplantation (SOT) patients. Cryptococcal fungemia can often clinically present as life-threatening disseminated disease from subclinical colonization. This is a factor that affects survival, especially in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and SOT recipients. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important for the course of the disease. This report describes the cryptococcal fungemia that developed in an HIV-negative patient after SOT due to alcohol-related liver cirrhosis.

Keywords: Cryptococcus neoformans; Fungemia; Solid organ transplantation recipients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis* / diagnosis
  • Cryptococcosis* / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis* / microbiology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans* / isolation & purification
  • Fungemia* / drug therapy
  • Fungemia* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents