PLAQUE-LIKE ERYTHEMA WITH MILIA - A NONINFECTIOUS DERMAL MUCINOSIS MIMICKING CRYPTOCOCCAL CELLULITIS IN A RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

Cellulitis of the skin is most commonly a bacterial infection caused b y either staphylococcal or streptococcal species. However, in immunoco mpromised patients, cellulitis may be a harbinger of more ominous dise ase. In these patients, rapid clinical diagnosis and treatment is nece ssary. We describe an immunosuppressed renal transplant recipient with the clinical diagnosis of cryptococcal cellulitis who was found to ha ve a heretofore unreported dermal mucinosis of the upper chest associa ted with milia. We believe that cyclosporine was a significant pathoge nic factor. This entity, which should be included in the clinical diff erential diagnosis of cryptococcal cellulitis, has a benign nature and does not require treatment.