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Cryptococcosis

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Definition:

Cryptococcosis is a rare fungal infection caused by inhaling the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans .

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cryptococcus neoformans , the fungus that causes this disease, is ordinarily found in soil. Once inhaled, infection with cryptococcosis may heal on its own, remain localized in the lungs, or spread throughout the body (disseminate).

Most cases occur in people whose resistance to infection is lowered (such as by HIV infection , high doses of corticosteroid medications, cancer chemotherapy, or Hodgkin's disease ).

In people with normal immune systems, the pulmonary (lung) form may have no symptoms. However, in people with impaired immune systems, the cryptococcus organism may spread to the brain.

The onset of neurological symptoms is gradual. The majority of people with this condition have meningoencephalitis (swelling and irritation of the brain and spinal cord) at the time of diagnosis.

Cryptococcus is one of the most common life-threatening fungal infections in AIDS patients.

• Review Date: 10/9/2006
• Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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