Cryptococcosis
| Cryptococcosis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Infectious diseases  |
Cryptococcosis is the condition caused by infection with the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.
In humans, C. neoformans causes three types of infections: wound or cutaneous cryptococcosis, pulmonary cryptococcosis, and cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcal meningitis (infection of the brain) is believed to result from dissemination of the fungus from either an observed or unappreciated pulmonary infection. C. gattii causes infections in immunocompetent people (those having a functioning immune system), but C. neoformans v. grubii, and v. neoformans usually only cause clinically evident infections in persons who have some form of defect in their immune systems (immunocompromised persons). People who have defects in their cell-mediated immunity, for example, people with AIDS, are especially susceptible to disseminated cryptococcosis. Cryptococcal meningitis is often fatal, especially if untreated.
During infection, the fungus produces copious amounts of capsule which is sloughed from the yeast and can be detected in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Detection of capsular material, also called cryptococcal antigen, in bodily fluids is the most common way that a diagnosis of cryptococcosis is made.
The prevalence of cryptococcosis, has been increasing over the past 20 years because of the onset of AIDS and the expanded use of immunosuppressive drugs. Worldwide, about 5% of people with HIV develop cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis is also more likely in smokers and in people working outdoors.
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