Disseminated Cryptococcosis in an HIV-Negative Young Malay Female with Underlying Mediastinal Hodgkin Lymphoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

Cryptococcosis is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, which form the Cryptococcus complex. The infection is closely related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive status of the patient and often leaving HIV-negative patients overlooked. This is particularly noticeable when patients have other concurrent illnesses that mask the seemingly inconspicuous symptoms of cryptococcal meningitis. The result is a late diagnosis, which leads to delayed treatment and a poorer prognosis for these patients. In addition, lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy face a double challenge, as both the disease and the treatment contribute to a weakened immune system, leaving them vulnerable to pathogenic and opportunistic infections. In this case report, we presented a 36-year-old Malay female, with no history of HIV infection but with underlying mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma. She concurrently developed disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans infection and eventually succumbed to the infection.