Cryptococcus

Cryptococcosis:

Infections of the CNS and pulmonary system caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii.

These fungi are found in bird droppings, and, by association, soil and trees.
They are encapsulated, spherical yeast

– Outer "halo" is the polysaccharide capsule – Inner yeast cell has melanin in its cell wall. Cryptococcus* is inhaled into the respiratory system, followed by dissemination to and localization within the CNS. Cryptococcus neoformans is a major opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients.*

Cryptococcosis typically manifests as CNS infections:

– Meningitis and encephalitis – In the image, we can see the characteristic "soap bubble" lesions of Cryptococcal encephalitis. Cryptococcus neoformans* CNS infection is associated with immunosuppressed patients

Cryptococcus gattii tend to produce infection in relatively immunocompetent individuals

– These patients tend to have more granuloma formation – Some authors suggest that so-called immunocompetent patients actually have complicating illnesses or histories of immunosuppression).

Cryptococcosis can also manifest as pulmonary infection, sometimes following CNS involvement.

– In the lungs, severity ranges from asymptomatic to pneumonia with pulmonary infiltrates. – Cryptococcus gattii tends to produce larger pulmonary lesions than Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus

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