Plaque-like erythema with milia: a noninfectious dermal mucinosis mimicking cryptococcal cellulitis in a renal transplant recipient.

Abstract

Cellulitis of the skin is most commonly a bacterial infection caused by either staphylococcal or streptococcal species. However, in immunocompromised patients, cellulitis may be a harbinger of more ominous disease. In these patients, rapid clinical diagnosis and treatment is necessary. We describe an immunosuppressed renal transplant recipient with the clinical diagnosis of cryptococcal cellulitis who was found to have a heretofore unreported dermal mucinosis of the upper chest associated with milia. We believe that cyclosporine was a significant pathogenic factor. This entity, which should be included in the clinical differential diagnosis of cryptococcal cellulitis, has a benign nature and does not require treatment.