Diagnosis and treatment of four cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis: case report and literature review

Shan Song; Tai Guo; Tiebin You; Ping Wang

doi:10.3855/jidc.20737

Diagnosis and treatment of four cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis: case report and literature review

Authors

Shan Song Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Tai Guo Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Tiebin You Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Ping Wang Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6236-8476

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.20737

Keywords:

Cryptococcosis, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, immunocompromised patients

Abstract

Introduction: Cryptococcosis has attracted global attention due to its high mortality rate, unique geographical distribution, and tendency to cause severe and rapid disease progression. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a novel detection technology that provides diagnostic insights for identifying pathogens, particularly rare ones. The present article describes 4 individuals diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) using mNGS of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Case presentation: Among these patients, 3 had cancer, 1 had sarcoidosis and diabetes, and 2 were exposed to pigeons and/or pigeon droppings. These patients experienced symptoms, including fever, cough, and chest pain. They were diagnosed with PC after mNGS of BALF. The patient was diagnosed based on mNGS test results. Subsequently, the patient was treated with fluconazole, and the patient's chest computed tomography scan showed significant absorption of the lung lesions.

Conclusions: mNGS of BALF can quickly diagnose PC. This diagnostic method has minimal trauma to the body and is worthy of clinical promotion. Fluconazole remains the preferred and best therapeutic drug for PC treatment.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Song S, Guo T, You T, Wang P (2026) Diagnosis and treatment of four cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis: case report and literature review. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:1408–1414. doi: 10.3855/jidc.20737

Download Citation

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 09: September 2026

Section

Case Reports

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).