Cryptococcus
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MICROBIOLOGY
- Yeast-like, round fungus; usual size is 5-10µm with polysaccharide capsule [Fig].
- Reproduces by narrow-based budding.
- Epidemiology: worldwide in soil, high levels in pigeon droppings (but this relevance is questionable for human disease).
- Two species:
- C. neoformans historically divided into 4 serotypes (A to D) described based upon the capsule components with 2 species and 2 varieties causing human disease. Now based on genotypic evaluation, proposed:
- Serotype A: now known as C. neoformans v. grubii
- Serotypes B and C: C. gattii
- Serotype D: C. neoformans v. neoformans (most common) and worldwide in distribution
- C. gattii: more recently detected and seen primarily in Australia, Western Canada and northwestern U.S. (Washington and Oregon).
- Clinical presentation and diagnosis and treatment are the same as with C. neoformans.
- Differences from C. neoformans include higher attack rates in healthy hosts, and worse prognosis.
- Appears more resistant to fluconazole.
- True extent of infection/epidemiology not known.
- C. neoformans historically divided into 4 serotypes (A to D) described based upon the capsule components with 2 species and 2 varieties causing human disease. Now based on genotypic evaluation, proposed:
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MICROBIOLOGY
- Yeast-like, round fungus; usual size is 5-10µm with polysaccharide capsule [Fig].
- Reproduces by narrow-based budding.
- Epidemiology: worldwide in soil, high levels in pigeon droppings (but this relevance is questionable for human disease).
- Two species:
- C. neoformans historically divided into 4 serotypes (A to D) described based upon the capsule components with 2 species and 2 varieties causing human disease. Now based on genotypic evaluation, proposed:
- Serotype A: now known as C. neoformans v. grubii
- Serotypes B and C: C. gattii
- Serotype D: C. neoformans v. neoformans (most common) and worldwide in distribution
- C. gattii: more recently detected and seen primarily in Australia, Western Canada and northwestern U.S. (Washington and Oregon).
- Clinical presentation and diagnosis and treatment are the same as with C. neoformans.
- Differences from C. neoformans include higher attack rates in healthy hosts, and worse prognosis.
- Appears more resistant to fluconazole.
- True extent of infection/epidemiology not known.
- C. neoformans historically divided into 4 serotypes (A to D) described based upon the capsule components with 2 species and 2 varieties causing human disease. Now based on genotypic evaluation, proposed:
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