Cryptococcal pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Cryptococcal pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Clin Radiol. 1995 Nov;50(11):756-60. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96080101
Friedman EP; Miller RF; Severn A; Williams IG; Shaw PJ; Department of Imaging, University College London Hospitals (NHS); Trust, UK.

Abstract: Infection with Cryptococcus neoformans occurs with increased frequency in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite the lungs being the portal of entry for the fungus the commonest presentation is with meningitis: Cryptococcal broncho pulmonary infection occurs less commonly. The chest radiographs of fourteen HIV positive patients with cryptococcal pneumonia were reviewed. The commonest radiographic abnormalities were interstitial infiltrates, (nine patients) and focal or widespread alveolar consolidation (seven patients). Ground glass shadowing, not previously described in cryptococcal pneumonia, occurred in six radiographs, miliary nodules in one, lymphadenopathy in four, and small pleural effusions in three. Two patients had a normal chest radiograph. In contrast to previous reports, we found alveolar consolidation and ground glass shadowing to be common and nodules and cavitation to be rare. Cryptococcal pneumonia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia and miliary tuberculosis in HIV positive patients.

Keywords: Adult AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/*RADIOGRAPHY Cryptococcosis/*RADIOGRAPHY Cryptococcus neoformans Diagnosis, Differential Female Human Lymphatic Diseases/MICROBIOLOGY Male Middle Age Pleural Effusion/MICROBIOLOGY Pneumonia/MICROBIOLOGY/*RADIOGRAPHY Pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii/RADIOGRAPHY Retrospective Studies JOURNAL ARTICLE
960330
M9630722

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