CRYPTOCOCCAL INFECTION OF THE VAGINA

Background: Cryptococcal infection is opportunistic and occurs most co mmonly in immunocompromised patients. Meningitis is the most frequent manifestation and causes marked morbidity and mortality. Other sites a re less common. We report a case of vaginal cryptococcal infection. Ca se: A 72-year-old patient who had undergone resection of the colon for cancer 9 years earlier was noted to have a suspicious lesion on the r ight vaginal wall after an abnormal Papanicolaou test. Biopsy of the l esion showed findings compatible with cryptococcal infection. Serial e xaminations revealed no evidence of systemic infection or immunocompro mised condition. Empirical treatment was tried with fluconazole. Follo w-up colposcopy showed almost complete disappearance of the vaginal le sion, and histologic section and culture of the tissue failed to revea l cryptococcus. Conclusion: Cryptococcal infection is rare, especially in a patient with no evidence of an immunocompromised condition. The preliminary result of fluconazole treatment was satisfactory. However, further follow-up and evaluation are needed to confirm the effectiven ess of fluconazole in our patient.