Cryptococcus gattii infection mimicking neurocysticercosis

Authors

  • Leonardo Carrara Matsuura Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
  • Isabela Della Torre Oliveira Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
  • Raquel Cordeiro Mendes Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
  • Livia Novaes Teixeira Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
  • Bárbara Redondo Shinoda Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
  • José Ernesto Vidal Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e20250458

Keywords:

Meningitis, Cryptococcal, Cryptococcus gattii, Neurocysticercosis, Case Reports

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis caused by fungi of the genus Cryptococcus, with Cryptococcusneoformans and Cryptococcus gattii being the main species of medical importance. Although they share similarities, they show clinical and pathogenic differences due to structural and immunological variations and distinct mechanisms of evasion of the host response. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with no known immunosuppression. She was initially referred for suspected neurocysticercosis and was nevertheless diagnosed with disseminated cryptococcosis caused by C. gattii, characterized by multiple pseudocysts in the central nervous system, a large pulmonary cryptococcoma, and an ulcerated skin lesion on the shoulder. The treatment included prolonged antifungal therapy, a lumboperitoneal shunt, resection of the lung mass, and corticosteroid therapy. After a lengthy hospital stay, the patient improved clinically and was discharged; however, she had neurological recurrences that required further hospitalizations, later evolving to death.

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Published

2025-06-11

How to Cite

Matsuura, L. C., Oliveira, I. D. T., Mendes, R. C., Teixeira, L. N., Shinoda, B. R., & Vidal, J. E. (2025). Cryptococcus gattii infection mimicking neurocysticercosis. Infections in Evidence, 4, e20250458. https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e20250458

Issue

Vol. 4 (2025)

Section

Case Reports

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