Clinical analysis of 14 cases of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis

Abstract

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) by analysing the PC cases. Methods The host factors, underlying diseases, chest CT,microbiological and histopathological examination, treatment and prognosis of fourteen patients with PC retrospectively analyzed. Results Most patients with PC had related host factors and underlying diseases.The features of chest CT were diverse, mostly in single lung, mainly included local multiple nodules and (or) mass and (or) pulmonary consolidation, otherwise, air bronchogram / small bubble sign, cavity,halo sign were visible. The positive rate of fungal culture from the bronchoalveolar lavage was lower (18.2%) ,most of cryptococcus latex agglutination test was positive (64.3%), the positive rate of lung tissue pathology was 100% ,and the effective rate of fluconazole for initial treatment of PC was 57. 1%.Conclusions Most patients with PC have underlying diseases, clinical manifestations and chest imaging are nonspecific, and halo sign is relatively specific performance. Cryptococcus latex agglutination test is invasive, and the positive rate is high. The final diagnosis of PC mainly depends on pathology.Fluconazole is effective for the treatment of PC,and side effect is low. Key words: Pulmonary cryptococcosis; Chest imaging; Diagnosis; Treatment