CELLULITIS AS FIRST CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF DISSEMINATED CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Two renal transplant recipients with cellulitis due to Cryptococcus ne oformans are described. The patients were treated empirically for a pr esumed bacterial erysipelas, but without response. Examination of skin biopsies revealed C. neoformans as the causative organism. In both pa tients the cellulitis was the presenting clinical manifestation of dis seminated cryptococcosis. Therapy with antifungal agents was successfu l. Disseminated cryptococcal disease occurs mainly in immunocompromize d patients. When left untreated, it nearly always has a fatal course. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are therefore essential.