Concurrent subcutaneous candidal abscesses and pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus and a history of corticosteroid therapy

Abstract

A 50-year-old man with a history of long-term corticosteroid treatment following adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was admitted for an examination of an abnormal thoracic shadow. Cryptococcal serum antigens were positive, and the histopathology of a lung biopsy showed encapsulated yeast resembling Cryptococcus neoformans. On admission, the serum β-D-glucan level was approximately twice the cutoff value, several nodules were observed on both legs and magnetic resonance imaging revealed subcutaneous abscesses. Candida albicans was identified from needle aspirates, and the patient was successfully treated with fluconazole and flucytosine. We herein report the first case of concurrent C. albicans skin abscesses and pulmonary cryptococcosis.