Cryptococcosis and unexpected death

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused predominantly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gatti. It is most often found in immunocompromised individuals and has quite protean and chronic manifestations affecting all body systems. The unexpected death of a 22-year-old man with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis demonstrates, however, that it may have a fulminant course in previously well individuals. Also present at autopsy was a toruloma of the upper lobe of the right lung. Delays in clinical diagnoses, confusion with tuberculosis and precipitate clinical deterioration may mean that cases will be encountered unexpectedly during medicolegal autopsies.