Pulmonary cryptococcosis mimicking methotrexate pneumonitis
Law, K.F.; Aranda, C.P.; Smith, R.L.; Berkowitz, K.A.; Ittman, M.M.; Lewis, M.L.
Journal of Rheumatology 20(5): 872-873
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 8336316 Document Number: 420392
An 81-year-old man being treated with weekly low dose methotrexate (MTX) for psoriasis was admitted with a 2-month history of cough, shortness of breath and 7% eosinophilia in the peripheral blood. Chest roentgenogram revealed bilateral alveolar and interstitial infiltrates. Although the clinical presentation suggested MTX pneumonitis, a transbronchial lung biopsy established a diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. Pulmonary cryptococcosis should be included in the list of infectious processes that can mimic MTX pneumonitis.