A case of humidifier lung potentially caused by Cryptococcus laurentii
Humidifier lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by repeated inhalation of contaminated humidifier vapor containing antigens. Identification of specific antigens is crucial for the management of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We report a case of humidifier lung in a 60-year-old man who presented with fever and dyspnea. Bacteriological examination of the humidifier identified Cryptococcus laurentii and antigen identification using the precipitating antibody method was positive for C. laurentii. Although C. laurentii is known to cause opportunistic infections, this case suggests that it may also be a potential causative antigen of humidifier lung in non-immunosuppressed individuals.
Authors
- Hirokazu Yura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2496-7358)
- Mayako Mori
- Mutsumi Ozasa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1482-2948)
- Takahiro Takazono (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0696-5386)
- Noriho Sakamoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7577-476X)
- Hiroshi Ishimoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4374-2894)
- Hiroshi Mukae (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1429-5706)
- Takashi Kido (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8338-0608)
- Kazuaki Takeda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1611-4435)
- Akemi Saito
Institutions
- University of Nagasaki (JP)
- National Sagamihara Hospital (JP)
- Nagasaki University (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Respiratory Investigation
- Published
- 2025-08-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resinv.2025.08.003
- Primary Topic
- Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00