Purpose: Disseminated cryptococcosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, especially
those with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Early diagnosis and treatment greatly improves the outcome, so clinical
clues that lead to prompt diagnosis are important. Methods: Three patients with AIDS in whom multifocal choroiditis and choroidal
lesions were the initial signs of disseminated cryptococcosis were treated with systemic amphotericin B and flucytosine. All
of the patients had a systemic work-up that included evaluation of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Results: All three patients
who were seen with the choroidal lesions as the presenting sign were noted to have either positive titers for cryptococcus
or cultures that grew cryptococcus in the CSF. The choroidal lesions are presumed to be due to cryptococcus as no histopathologic
or microscopic studies were available for ocular tissues. The choroidal lesions started to resolve one to three months after
systemic treatment with amphotericin B and flucytosine. Conclusion: Primary choroidal lesions in patients with AIDS may herald
severe systemic disseminated disease. Funduscopic examination, however, may detect disseminated cryptococcal disease before
other overt clinical manifestations, thereby allowing prompt institution of effective therapy.
cryptococcus - choroiditis - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - meningitis
This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.