![]() Treatment is with fluconazole or amphotericin B. ![]() It can be cultured from a cerebrospinal fluid, sputum, and skin biopsy. ĭiagnosis is by isolating Cryptococcus from a sample of affected tissue or direct observation of the fungus by using staining of body fluids. ![]() Once breathed in, the dried yeast cells colonize the lungs, where they are either cleared by immune cells, lie dormant, or cause infection and spread. Whereas C. neoformans generally infects people with HIV/AIDS and those on immunosuppressant drugs and does not usually affect fit and healthy people, C. gattii (found in some parts of Canada and the US) does. These fungi are found around the world in soil, decaying wood, pigeon droppings, and in the hollows of some species of trees. It is caused by the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans or less commonly Cryptococcus gattii, and is acquired by breathing in the spores from the air. It can also affect other parts of the body including skin, where it may appear as several fluid-filled nodules with dead tissue. When the brain is infected, symptoms include headache, fever, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity and confusion or changes in behavior. Cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain and fever are seen when the lungs are infected. Ĭryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii Ĭryptococcosis is a potentially fatal fungal infection of mainly the lungs, presenting as a pneumonia, and brain, where it appears as a meningitis. Brain: Headache, fever, neck pain, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion, change in behaviour.Lung: Cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain and fever. ![]()
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