CRYPTIC PRESENTATION OF CRYPTOCOCCAL OSTEOMYELITIS IN AN APPARENTLY IMMUNOCOMPETENT INDIVIDUAL

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection seen in immunocompromised individuals. It is caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus and predominantly affects the lungs and central nervous system. Immunocompetent individuals very rarely develop bone involvement and only a few cases of cryptococcal osteomyelitis in patients without other comorbid conditions have been described. Only one other case of pelvic involvement, which was accompanied by lymphopaenia, has been reported. We describe the case of a 42-year-old immunocompetent man with cryptococcal hip osteomyelitis. LEARNING POINTS: Osteomyelitis due to Cryptococcus is very rare. Cryptococcal osteomyelitis is uncommon in immunocompetent individuals. Prompt intravenous treatment with antifungal medication should be offered to all patients with cryptococcal osteomyelitis.