A 45-year-old man comes to the emergency department due to 2 weeks of chest pain and cough. He has a history of advanced HIV and has taken his antiretroviral medications inconsistently over the past few months. Temperature is 38.1 C (100.6 F). Crackles are heard on pulmonary examination. CD4 cell count is 98/mm³. Chest x-ray reveals nodules and hilar lymphadenopathy. A bronchoscopy is performed. Mucicarmine staining of the patient's bronchoalveolar fluid shows budding yeast forms with thick capsules. Symptomatic infection with the organism causing this patient's condition most commonly manifests as which of the following?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Meningoencephalitis is the most common presentation of Cryptococcus neoformans infection.  It occurs in immunosuppressed patients and can be diagnosed by India ink staining of the cerebrospinal fluid.  Cryptococcal pneumonia is diagnosed by mucicarmine staining of lung tissue and bronchoalveolar washings.

A 45-Year-Old Man Comes to the Emergency Department Due to 2