Unusual morphologies of Cryptococcus spp. in tissue specimens: report of 10 cases.

Identifier:  imarina:5123710

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5123710

Authors:  Flavia Gazzoni, Alexandra; Salles, Emily Ferreira; Mayayo, Emilio; Guarro, Josep; Capilla, Javier; Severo, Luiz Carlos

Abstract:
Ten cases of cryptococcosis due to unusual microscopic forms of Cryptococcus sp. observed over a twenty-eight year period (1981-2009) are presented. The most important clinicopathological and laboratory data are tabulated. The uncommon forms of cryptococcal cells given are: structures resembling germ tube (one case), chains of budding yeasts (one case), pseudohyphae (two cases) and nonencapsulated yeast-like organisms (eight cases). The diagnosis was based on the histopathological findings. The causative organism was isolated and identified in seven cases; five were due to C. neoformans, and two to C. gattii. In addition, the importance of using staining histochemical techniques - Grocott's silver stain (GMS), Mayer's mucicarmine stain (MM) and Fontana-Masson stain (FM) - in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis is argued.