Citation Information :
Bhatia V, Saini D, Khillan V, Rathor N, Bal CK, Daman R, Sarin SK. Spontaneous cryptococcal peritonitis with fungemia in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: Report of two cases. Indian J Crit Care Med 2014; 18 (8):536-539.
Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated yeast that predominately infects immunocompromised individuals. Liver disease is an under-recognized predisposition for cryptococcal disease. We report two nonalcoholic, nondiabetic, and human immunodeficiency virus - negative cirrhotic patients, with spontaneous cryptococcal peritonitis. Cryptococcus infection was diagnosed by culture of ascitic fluid and peripheral blood in both. We treated the first patient with amphotericin-B, but he expired. The second patient with earlier diagnosis, survived to discharge with fluconazole treatment. We suggest a high clinical suspicion for Cryptococcus as a possible etiology of spontaneous peritonitis in cirrhotic patients.
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