Cryptococcus is a genus of fungi that causes illness in people with weakened immune systems.cryptococcus gattii The two most common types of the fungus that cause cryptococcal disease are C. neoformans and C. grubii, but C. gattii can also cause cryptococcal disease in people with normal immune systems. The fungus can affect a person’s lungs (pneumonia) or nervous system (meningitis). People with normal immune systems are less likely to get these infections than people with weakened immune systems, but anyone can become infected with this rare fungus. Animals, including pets, can develop infection as well.
The fungus that causes most cases of cryptococcal disease is C.cryptococcus gattii neoformans, but in some areas of the world, another species of the fungus called C. gattii is increasing in numbers and has been found to cause disease in some people. The fungus is related to the more commonly occurring genus C. neoformans, and can be distinguished from it by testing for certain biochemical characteristics. For example, C. neoformans cannot use D-proline and glycine as sources of nitrogen or carbon, but C. gattii can.
It is important to identify the type of fungus that caused the infection in order to prescribe the proper medication and treat the disease.cryptococcus gattii For example, some antibiotics may not be effective in treating gattii infections, while other drugs may work better to treat neoformans infections.
Until recently, it was thought that the majority of people with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by C.cryptococcus gattii gattii were immunocompromised. However, studies of the bacterial genomes of this strain and of isolates from patients with CNS cryptococcosis have shown that immunocompetent individuals can get infected and suffer from severe illness and high death rates. Furthermore, a recent study found that anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies are common in patients with CNS cryptococcosis due to C. gattii, regardless of their immunocompromised status.
CDC is monitoring the spread of C.cryptococcus gattii gattii in the United States, with laboratory testing of isolates from people who have reported symptoms of infection. CDC encourages laboratories that have detected C. gattii to submit isolates for further evaluation to the Mycotic Diseases Branch Laboratory through state public health labs.
Laboratory identification of the organism is important to determine appropriate antifungal therapy and to ensure that patients are referred to a specialist.cryptococcus gattii
The fungus typically lives on trees and in the soil, but it can also be found in the air. Infection is acquired by breathing in spores. The spores can survive in the environment for long periods of time, and can remain inactive until a person with a weak immune system breathes them in. The fungus can cause infection in the lungs or nervous system, but is most often associated with infection of the brain. This infection is very difficult to diagnose, and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Treatment for the disease usually involves several different medications, and includes sedatives, corticosteroids, and/or immunomodulators. Infection with this fungus is reportable in many states. CDC collects data on the number of cases identified in the United States, and provides information about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to healthcare providers.