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Cryptococcus neoformans
The only non-dimorphic fungi (no mycelia) that causes human disease.
Epidemiology:
1) widely distributed in the soil, foods & excreta of pigeons & other animals
2) lung is the portal of entry
3) may exist as saprophyte in humans with pre-existing lung disease
Pathology:
1) infection results in cryptococcosis
2) cryptococcosis most commonly presents as subacute or chronic meningitis
3) 33-50% of patients with cryptococcosis are immunosuppressed
Laboratory:
- Cryptococcus neoformans serology
- Cryptococcus neoformans antigen
- Cryptococcus neoformans rRNA
Related
cryptococcosis
General
Cryptococcus
Properties
KINGDOM: plant
DIVISION: EUMYCOPHYTA
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 15,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2009
- Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed)
Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 808