Cryptococcus neoformans Infective Endocarditis After Lung Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

John H. Fountain, Kartik N. Rajagopalan, Maggie Carroll, Hilary Robbins, Luke J. Benvenuto, Daichi Shimbo, Charles C. Marboe, Selim M. Arcasoy, Marcus R. Pereira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis is rarely reported. In this report, we present a case of infective endocarditis secondary to C. neoformans in a lung transplant recipient and review the relevant literature. A 65-year-old man was hospitalized with hypoxemic respiratory failure and underwent left-sided single lung transplantation. In the setting of worsening hypoxemia, blood cultures were drawn, which grew C. neoformans. Lumbar puncture was performed, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also positive for Cryptococcus. Further exposure history revealed that he had raised chickens while living in Peru. Transesophageal echocardiography showed an aortic valve vegetation, and he was diagnosed with cryptococcal infective endocarditis. He received liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine for 2 weeks and was later transitioned to fluconazole. This case highlights the need for thorough social history before lung transplantation, as pulmonary colonization with C. neoformans may result in infective endocarditis after immunosuppression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E457-E461
JournalInfectious Diseases in Clinical Practice
Volume29
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cryptococcus neoformans infection
  • infective endocarditis
  • lung transplantation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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