CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF DISSEMINATED CRYPTOCOCCOSIS

Disseminated cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection with cutan eous dissemination in 10% to 20% of cases. We describe seven patients with disseminated cryptococcosis with variable cutaneous manifestation s. AIDS was a predisposing factor in six patients. Cutaneous presentat ions included a draining sinus tract, verrucous nodules, molluscum-lik e lesions and erythematous, indurated plaques. Histologically, all les ions revealed numerous encapsulated cryptoccocal organisms in a gelati nous pattern, highlighted with periodic acid-Schiff, mucicarmine, and methenamine silver stains. The patients responded variably to treatmen t with amphotericin B, flucytosine, and fluconazole.