A Possible New Diagnostic Method for Early Diagnosis of Cryptococcus Infection in Lymphoma Patient Co-Infected with SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

A Cryptococcus subspecies, neoformans, represents the most pathogenic infection for humans, particularly in immunocompromised hosts (e.g., cancer patients, drug users). In the present study, we described a 67-year old woman with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who developed an infectious disease sustained by Cryptococcus neoformans. Biochemical data documented a decrease in lymphocytes count while clinical evaluation was suggestive on meningeal infection. The microbiological analysis of the serum, using a dilution pattern through the CrAg lateral flow assay (Immy, Norman, OK 73069, USA) detected the antigen of Cryptococcus (dilution 1/1280), and a treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg id) plus flucytosine (100 mg/kg per day orally in four divided doses) were started, showing an improvement of symptoms. This case report suggests that an antigen dilution can be used to perform a rapid diagnosis and to quickly start the pharmacological treatment.