A Vulvovaginal Yeast Infection Caused by Cryptococcus victoriae in Vietnam: A Rare Case Report

• Published in: JIM - high impact case reports Vol. 12; p. 23247096241237756
• Main Authors: Canh, Hoang Dinh, Loi, Cao Ba, Hung, Dao Nguyen, Van, Le Thi Hong, Quynh, Nguyen Thi Nhu, Dung, Do Thi Thuy, Tuan, Nguyen Ngoc, Anh, Do Ngoc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2024; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Antifungal agents; Case Report; Fungal infections; Vietnam; Vietnam; vaginal yeast infection; Cryptococcus victoriae
• ISSN: 2324-7096; 2324-7096
• DOI: 10.1177/23247096241237756

Cases of vulvovaginitis caused by Cryptococcus genus are exceedingly uncommon, with only a handful of instances having been described for this causative species. This report describes a rare case of vulvovaginitis suspected to be caused by Cryptococcus victoriae in a 58-year-old woman residing in an urban area of Hanoi city, Vietnam. The patient with a 10-year history of depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted to the hospital due to vulvar itching and vaginal discharge. Vaginal swabs confirmed the presence of a yeast infection by direct microscopic examination with 10% KOH and culture on CHROMagar Candida. The yeast was identified as C victoriae using genetic sequencing tools. The patient’s treatment plan involved topical clotrimazole and a daily oral dose of 200 mg of itraconazole for 7 days. This comprehensive treatment approach resulted in the patient’s full recovery. This is the first reported case of vulvovaginitis attributed to C victoriae in humans worldwide.