Respiratory cryptosporidiosis in a patient with malignant lymphoma. Report of a case and review of the literature
Travis, W.D.; Schmidt, K.; MacLowry, J.D.; Masur, H.; Condron, K.S.; Fojo, A.T.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 114(5): 519-522
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 2185714 Document Number: 351556
The first case of respiratory cryptosporidiosis recognized at the National Institutes of Health, USA, is reported. An antemortem diagnosis was made based on recognition of acid-fast cryptosporidia in an induced sputum specimen obtained from a 64-year-old woman with malignant lymphoma and an associated profound immunodeficiency. Autopsy confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium along the apical aspect of the respiratory epithelium lining the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. Cryptosporidia were also identified in the duodenum and gallbladder. Immunohistochemical staining of the paraffin-embedded autopsy lung sections using a monoclonal antibody verified the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis. Review of this case and the literature suggests that respiratory cryptosporidiosis is characterized by a chronic tracheitis, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis but generally does not cause severe pulmonary dysfunction.