Fungal panniculitis in renal transplant recipients

Transpl Infect Dis. 2008 Jul;10(4):286-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2007.00293.x. Epub 2007 Dec 11.

Abstract

Panniculitis may result due to various etiologies. In post-transplant immunosuppressed patients infection is the foremost cause of panniculitis. We present 2 cases of fungal panniculitis in renal transplant recipients. The first patient presented with non-tender firm erythematous plaques on the left thigh. Biopsy showed panniculitis with cryptococci. Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of cryptococcal antigens in the blood, urine, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. There was no evidence of cryptococcal meningitis. The second patient complained of subcutaneous nodules on the trunk and right thigh. Biopsy of one of the nodules showed panniculitis with histoplasma. This patient had been treated earlier (inadequately) for disseminated histoplasmosis. Both the cases responded well to conventional amphotericin B therapy. Their renal functions remained stable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis* / diagnosis
  • Cryptococcosis* / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis* / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis* / pathology
  • Cryptococcus / isolation & purification
  • Histoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Histoplasmosis* / diagnosis
  • Histoplasmosis* / drug therapy
  • Histoplasmosis* / microbiology
  • Histoplasmosis* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Panniculitis* / diagnosis
  • Panniculitis* / drug therapy
  • Panniculitis* / microbiology
  • Panniculitis* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents