Relapsed pulmonary cryptococcosis during tumor necrosis factor α inhibitor treatment

Abstract

A 35-year-old non-HIV patient developed pulmonary cryptococcosis after the initiation of infliximab. He recovered by fluconazole treatment and completed the therapy for a total of 6 months. However, he experienced a relapse 16 months later during retreatment with infliximab, revealing an interesting clinical course contradicting retreatment. This case also represents the first case of relapsed pulmonary cryptococcosis suspected during treatment with a biologic agent. Both of these aspects generated important clinical questions about the length of pulmonary cryptococcosis treatment and the necessity of introducing a second prophylaxis for such patients.