Detection of cryptococcosis in peripheral blood smear: A case report
A 22-year-old woman, a known case of retroviral illness, presented to the hospital with fever and jaundice. After admission, she developed features of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were sent for examination. The patient was empirically started on antibiotics and supportive treatment. Next day, she developed hypotension and respiratory failure. Laboratory investigations showed Hb 5.4 gm%, TC 17,700 cells/cumm, platelet count 7000 cells/cumm, RBS 115 mg/dL, urea 8 mg/dL, Na+ 136 meq/L, K+ 3.4 meq/L, AST 549 IU and ALT 38 IU. ABG analysis showed metabolic acidosis. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral pneumonia.\nPeripheral blood smear examination showed schistocytes, toxic change in the neutrophils, and thrombocytopenias suggestive of DIC. On close examination neutrophils and monocytes also showed numerous refractile, encapsulated organisms that were morphologically consistent with cryptococcus neoformans. Buffy coat preparation also demonstrated cryptococcus within the neutrophils and monocytes []. Bone marrow aspirate showed HIV induced changes with cryptococcus infection. The organisms were found to be positive for periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain []. The patient's clinical condition deteriorated rapidly and she finally succumbed to the disease on the 10th day of admission.