IPLab:Lab 10:Cryptococcosis

Images

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  This is the chest x-ray showing the mass (arrow) in the right lower lobe.

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  This is a gross photomicrograph of this lung taken at autopsy. Note the areas of emphysema (1) and consolidation (2).

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  This is another section of this lung showing consolidation (arrows).

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  This is a low-power photomicrograph of the lung from the lesion seen on x-ray. Note that there is little, if any, inflammatory reaction.

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  This is a higher-power photomicrograph of the cryptococcal lesion. The air spaces are filled with organisms (arrows).

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  This is a high-power photomicrograph of the cryptococcal lesion. Some of the organisms have been expelled during processing, but some cryptococcal organisms can be seen (arrows).

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  This is another high-power photomicrograph of the cryptococcal lesion. In this section, numerous cryptococcal organisms (5-10 mm in diameter) can be seen (arrows). Note that there is very little inflammatory reaction.

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  Cryptococcal organisms can also be seen in this high-power photomicrograph of the cryptococcal lesion. Some of the organisms have a well-defined halo (arrows) due to the mucopolysaccharide coat which surrounds them.

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  This higher-power photomicrograph of a cryptococcal organism shows more clearly the nucleus surrounded by the large extracellular capsule (arrows).

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  This is a low-power photomicrograph of lung section stained with Alcian blue, which stains the acidic glycosaminoglycans making up the coat of the cryptococcal organism.

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  This is a higher-power photomicrograph of lung section stained with Alcian blue. The mucopolysaccharide capsule shrinks during processing with this stain, thereby producing a shrunken central appearance with the formation of spikes around each organism.

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  This is a touch prep of fresh lung tissue that was allowed to air dry and then stained to show the mucopolysaccharide capsule around the cryptococcal organisms (arrows).