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World J Clin Cases. Sep 6, 2026; 14(25): 119033
Published online Sep 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.119033
Published online Sep 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.119033
Beyond the usual suspects - disseminated cryptococcosis presenting as molluscoid skin lesions: A case report
Harpreet Walia, Department of Pathology, SGHS Sohana Hospital, Mohali 140308, Punjab, India
Hitaishi Mehta, Department of Dermatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160011, India
Sushil Rahi, Department of Neurology, SGHS Sohana Hospital, Mohali 140308, Punjab, India
Inderpreet Singh, Intensive Care Unit, SGHS Sohana Hospital, Mohali 140308, Punjab, India
Phillip H McKee, Department of Surgical Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States
Co-first authors: Harpreet Walia and Hitaishi Mehta.
Author contributions: Walia H, Mehta H, and Rahi S contributed to the conceptualization of the study; Walia H, Mehta H, Rahi S, and Singh I provided input on the intellectual content, literature search, and clinical studies; Walia H and Rahi S contributed to the manuscript preparation, editing, review, and approval; Walia H contributed to the data acquisition and analyses; Mehta H contributed to the manuscript review and approval; Singh I contributed to the data acquisition, manuscript preparation, review, and approval; McKee PH provided input on intellectual content, and contributed to the manuscript review and approval.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Harpreet Walia, Consultant, Head, Department of Pathology, SGHS Sohana Hospital, Sector 77, Mohali 140308, Punjab, India. drhwalia@gmail.com
Received: January 19, 2026
Revised: February 2, 2026
Accepted: March 27, 2026
Published online: September 6, 2026
Processing time: 228 Days and 18.7 Hours
Revised: February 2, 2026
Accepted: March 27, 2026
Published online: September 6, 2026
Processing time: 228 Days and 18.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Cryptococcal skin lesions are uncommon and may present as erythema, plaque, ulcer or nodule. Very rarely, the skin lesions may present as cellulitis or as molluscoid lesions. Disseminated disease presenting with molluscoid skin lesions is rare. In our patient, lesions presented on the face, many days before clinical onset of meningo-encephalitis. Collaboration and communication among interdisciplinary teams in a healthcare setting can lead to improved patient outcomes. The role of histopathology in the diagnostic process is essential.