What is Cryptococcosis?
Definition Cryptococcosis is an infection caused by inhaling the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. It is one of the diseases most often affecting AIDS patients. Cryptococcosis may be limited to the lungs, but frequently spreads throughout the body. Although almost any organ can be infected, the fungus is often fatal if it infects the nervous system where it causes an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Description The fungus causing cryptococcus, C. neoformans, is found worldwide in soil contaminated with pigeon or other bird droppings. It has also been found on unwashed raw fruit. Cryptococcosis is a rare disease in healthy individuals, but is the most common fungal infection affecting people with AIDS. People with Hodgkin’s disease or who are taking large doses of drugs that suppress the functioning of the immune system (corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs) are also more susceptible to cryptococcal infection. Cryptococcosis is also called cryp
• Cryptococcosis: A fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans which primarily affects the central nervous system and the lungs. People with weakened immune systems such as AIDS sufferers are generally more susceptible to this type of infection. • Cryptococcosis: An acute or chronic, localized or disseminated infection by Cryptococcus neoformans. Sites of involvement include the lungs, central nervous system and meninges, skin, and visceral organs.–2004 Source – Diseases Database • Cryptococcosis: a fungal infection characterized by nodular lesions–first in the lungs and spreading to the nervous system. Source – WordNet 2.1 Cryptococcosis is listed as a “rare disease” by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Cryptococcosis, or a subtype of Cryptococcosis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population. Source – National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a cond
Cryptococcosis is a disease caused by infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus which is commonly found in bird feces and the soil. This condition can be fatal if it is left untreated, especially in the case of patients who have compromised immune systems. Incidence of cryptococcosis in the general population is very low, as most people are able to resist infection with this fungus. Classically, people develop cryptococcosis because they inhale the spores of the fungus. The spores colonize the lungs, causing pneumonia-like symptoms such as chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and fatigue. In some patients, the infection may spread to other areas of the body, with the fungus colonizing various organs and other tissues. These situations can become extremely dangerous very quickly, as the fungus will interfere with normal organ function. Some cases of cryptococcosis manage to leap into the nervous system, eventually allowing the fungus to reach the brain. These cases are gene
