Cryptococcosis by Cryptococcus Gattii in an Elderly Patient – A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

An 86-year-old male patient with a history of comorbidities, including arterial hypertension and chronic kidney disease, was admitted to the institution due to an acute worsening of kidney injury, requiring hemodialysis. The patient also had a lesion on the right upper limb resulting from trauma by an aloe vera thorn, compatible with soft tissue infection and with no improvement despite antibiotic therapy. Biopsy revealed Cryptococcus gattii, an encapsulated fungus found in tropical and subtropical environments, capable of causing severe infections such as meningitis in both immunocompromised and healthy individuals. This case aimed to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach in complex infections. Effective multidisciplinary treatment contributed to control of the infection and improvement of the acute renal condition. Rapid identification and targeted treatment led to a favorable evolution, underscoring the need to consider fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of patients with multiple comorbidities and severe clinical presentations. This case report exemplifies the relevance of an integrated clinical response to rare and complex infections such as those caused by C. gattii, especially in elderly and vulnerable populations. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, as well as the use of a multidisciplinary team, are crucial to increase the chances of therapeutic success, highlighting the importance of early and targeted management strategies in challenging clinical contexts.