Cryptococcosis of the upper genital tract

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2009 Feb;23(2):71-3. doi: 10.1089/apc.2008.0108.

Abstract

Upper genital tract infection by Cryptococcus neoformans has not previously been reported. We describe such a case, in order to alert clinicians to the existence of this rare infection. A 34-year-old woman with AIDS presented with chronic menorrhagia, fever, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Despite blood transfusions and hormonal therapy, her vaginal bleeding could not be controlled and she became hemodynamically unstable. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, at which time granulomatous peritonitis and prominent myometrial blood vessels were found. Histologic examination revealed cryptococcal infection of all upper genital organs. This case demonstrates that disseminated cryptococcosis may involve the upper genital tract in women, and may be associated with profuse vaginal bleeding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections* / microbiology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections* / pathology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections* / surgery
  • Adult
  • Cryptococcosis* / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis* / pathology
  • Cryptococcosis* / surgery
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity*
  • Fallopian Tubes* / microbiology
  • Fallopian Tubes* / pathology
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female* / microbiology
  • Genital Diseases, Female* / pathology
  • Genital Diseases, Female* / surgery
  • Genitalia, Female / microbiology
  • Genitalia, Female / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Ovariectomy
  • Ovary* / microbiology
  • Ovary* / pathology
  • Uterus* / microbiology
  • Uterus* / pathology