Fatal Disseminated Cryptococcus gattii Infection in New Mexico

We report a case of fatal disseminated infection with Cryptococcus gattii in a patient from New Mexico. The patient had no history of recent travel to known C. gattii-endemic areas. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that the isolate belonged to the major molecular type VGIII. Virulence studies in a mouse pulmonary model of infection demonstrated that the strain was less virulent than other C. gattii strains. This represents the first documented case of C. gattii likely acquired in New Mexico

Postmortem examination of the lungs reveals multiple cryptococcal lesions.

<p><b>a.</b> Postmortem examination of the lungs revealed multiple yellow-tan ill-defined masses throughout all lobes of the lungs. <b>b.</b> Histopathologic examination of the lungs demonstrated scattered interstitial and intravascular encapsulated yeasts morphologically consistent with <i>Cryptococcus</i> species.</p

Isolates used for comparison in this study.

<p>Isolates used for comparison in this study.</p