Published in:
01-04-2014 | Astute Clinician Report
Good’s Syndrome and Pure White Cell Aplasia Complicated by Cryptococcus Infection: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors:
K. Akinosoglou, M. Melachrinou, D. Siagris, E. Koletsis, M. Marangos, C. A. Gogos, E. E. Solomou
Published in:
Journal of Clinical Immunology
|
Issue 3/2014
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Abstract
Thymomas can present with a variety of paraneoplastic manifestations, mostly of autoimmune origin, including Good’s syndrome when there is associated hypogammaglobulinemia. Although pure red cell aplasia is a recognised complication of thymoma, selective white cell aplasia is very rare, particularly in Good’s syndrome. Lethal opportunistic infections are a feature of Good’s syndrome, usually occurring in those patients with associated severe T lymphocyte defects. Although the cryptococcus is a recognised fungal pathogen in patients with other causes of CD4+ T cell lymphopenia, surprisingly this complication has not been reported in patients with Good’s syndrome. We now describe a 70 year old man with Good’s syndrome and pure white cell aplasia who presented with disseminated cryptococcosis, and provide an up-to-date review of the relevant literature. Despite meningeal involvement our patient recovered after combined treatment with intravenous globulin, granulocyte stimulating growth, corticosteroids and antifungal therapy.