COVID-19-associated Cryptococcus infection (CACI): a review of literature and clinical pearls.

BACKGROUND

Cryptococcal infection has been increasingly reported in patients with COVID-19 infection, but the epidemiological factors, presentation, diagnostic certainty, and outcome have not been well-described.

METHODS

We reviewed the published cases of COVID-19-associated Cryptococcus infections (CACI) to shed the light on the burden of this infection.

RESULTS

We identified 13 patients with confirmed cryptococcal infection. Cryptococcus infection was primarily seen in patients with severe COVID-19 disease who received corticosteroids therapy and admitted to the intensive care unit. Pulmonary CACI was the most common reported infection followed by cryptococcal meningitis.

CONCLUSION

In light of the high mortality rate, clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion of CACI in critically ill patients.