[Cryptococcus neoformans in the gastric contents of an AIDS patient].

The microscopic observation and isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from the gastric contents of an AIDS patient, obtained by aspiration with a nasogastric catheter and parasitologically studied, is communicated. Because of the limited number of round yeasts visualized by wet mount of the sample concentrate, India ink was added: the typical capsules of C. neoformans were then observed. Dark brown colonies of C. neoformans were isolated from the clinical sample cultured on sunflower-seed-extract agar, incubated at 37 degrees C for 7 days. Bloodcultures for fungi were negative; it was impossible to obtain CSF due to the patient's refusal, then the capsular polysaccharide antigen of C. neoformans in blood was determined and proved positive to the 1:100 dilution. The patient, who had supposedly been suffering from Cryptosporidium sp. diarrhea, after the finding of C. neoformans in the gastric sample and the positive result of the antigenemia for this fungus, was treated with oral fluconazol, (800 mg/day), because he did not accept intravenous treatment. This communication emphasizes the finding of C. neoformans in a clinical sample where its presence is infrequent and its usefulness for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis is significant.