Mycopathologia 2009-04-01

Atypical micromorphology and uncommon location of cryptococcosis: a histopathologic study using special histochemical techniques (one case report).

Alexandra Flávia Gazzoni, Cecília Bittencourt Severo, Marines Bizarro Barra, Luiz Carlos Severo

Index: Mycopathologia 167(4) , 197-202, (2009)

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Abstract

Here we report an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient with AIDS. Although typical Cryptococcus neoformans micromorphology was observed in tongue biopsy, cervical lymph node examination revealed atypical histopathologic findings. These included pseudohyphae, chains of budding yeasts and structures resembling germ tubes. Cryptococcus neoformans infection in supraclavicular lymph nodes was also confirmed by culture. The importance of using special histochemical techniques-Mayer's mucicarmine stain for mucicarminophilic capsule and Grocott's silver stain-in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis is reinforced.