Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary cryptococcosis in a non-immunocompromised host:A case report
YANG Mingming
WANG Peng
PANG Min
YANG Ming
JING Mingyan
FAN Pangshuang
LI Guo
Abstract：A case of diffuse pulmonary cryptococcosis in a middle-aged female without identified definite immunosuppressive factors is reported.The patient presented with a five-month history of recurrent cough.Chest CT revealed progression from scattered pulmonary nodules to diffuse bilateral infiltrates.Serum cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen testing was strongly positive,while conventional pathogen testing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was negative.However,Cryptococcus neoformans sequences were rapidly detected via metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS).After central nervous system involvement was ruled out,the patient was treated with oral fluconazole for six months and subsequently achieved full recovery.This case highlights the potential value of mNGS as a rapid and accurate diagnostic adjunct when imaging is atypical and conventional tests are inconclusive,facilitating timely and targeted therapy to improve prognosis.
Keywords：pulmonary cryptococcosisimaging featuresnon-immunocompromised hostmetagenomic next-generation sequencing
Publication Date：2026-02-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-19(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 87-90 )