Cutaneous cryptococcosis resembling molluscum contagiosum: a first manifestation of AIDS

Abstract

A 30-year-old homosexual man developed multiple skin umbilicated lesions resembling molluscum contagiosum. Initially the lesions were on his face but they rapidly spread. Histopathology and mycologic cultures of a skin biopsy revealed cryptococcus neoformans which was also identified in cerebrospinal fluid and in bronchoalveolar washings. The patient had fever, weight loss, generalized lymph node enlargement, depletion of the T helper subpopulation and positive HIV-1 serology. During treatment with flucytosine and amphotericin B, the skin lesions regressed in 3 months (cryptococcus neoformans disappeared in the cerebrospinal fluid and skin within one and five weeks, respectively). Our case demonstrates that molluscum contagiosum-like skin manifestations may be caused by cryptococcal infections. So it is necessary to perform skin biopsy in HIV seropositive patients with skin lesions resembling molluscum contagiosum, to diagnose mycotic infections, and especially cryptococcosis. Cutaneous cryptococcosis was, in this case, the first symptom of AIDS.