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

Authors

  • Alexandra Flávia Gazzoni Rovira i Virgili University; Medical School; Pathologic Anatomy Unit
  • Flávio de Mattos Oliveira Santa Casa-Complexo Hospitalar; Mycology Laboratory
  • Emily Ferreira Salles Santa Casa-Complexo Hospitalar; Department of Pathology
  • Emilio Mayayo Rovira i Virgili University; Joan XXIII University Hospital
  • Josep Guarro Rovira i Virgili University; Medical School; Microbiology Unit
  • Javier Capilla Rovira i Virgili University; Medical School; Microbiology Unit
  • Luiz Carlos Severo Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Department of Internal Medicine

Keywords:

Cryptococcosis, Pseudohyphae, Chains of budding yeasts, Germ tube-like structures, Nonencapsulated yeast-like organisms

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.

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Published

2010-06-01

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 3 (2010)

Section

Mycology

How to Cite

Gazzoni, A. F., Oliveira, F. de M., Salles, E. F., Mayayo, E., Guarro, J., Capilla, J., & Severo, L. C. (2010). Unusual morphologies of Cryptococcus spp. in tissue specimens: report of 10 cases . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 52(3), 145-149. https://www.revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/31322