Cryptococcus laurentii fungaemia in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: Case reports

The non-neoformans Cryptococci are increasingly causing opportunistic infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals worldwide. Non. neoformans Cryptococci are skin and mucous membrane colonizers as well as environmental fungi. Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus albidus cause more than 80% of non-neoformans Cryptococcal infections are gaining recognition as human pathogens because of the advancements in diagnostic techniques. Here, we report 2 cases of C. laurentii fungaemia in an immunocompetent adult and a preterm neonate in Nigeria. The first case was a 51-year-old man with 31% second-degree mixed-thickness burns. He fully recovered with the addition of fluconazole early in its treatment. The second case was a preterm neonate in whom fungaemia was diagnosed after a fatal outcome had occurred. These two cases highlight that the new identification and susceptibility diagnostic techniques allow for earlier diagnosis and better treatment of unusual fungal infections. However, the timely and early commencement of empirical antifungal drugs improves patient outcomes.