Synonyms

• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS, busse-buschke disease, central nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid, CNS, CNS infection, cryptococci, cryptococcic meningitis, cryptococcosis lung, cryptococcosis skin, Cryptococcus neoformans, CSF, encephalitis, European blastomycosis, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, immune, immune defense system, immune system, immunocompetent, immunocompromised, immunodeficiency, infection, lumbar puncture, lymph node, meninges, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, pneumonitis, opportunistic infection, pulmonary infection, spinal tap, torular meningitis viral, torulosis, viral infection, virus, weakened immune system, yeast.

Background

• Cryptococcus neoformans, a type of microscopic yeast that is found worldwide, can cause pulmonary infections that can potentially spread to other areas of the body. This infection is called cryptococcosis. Individuals who are immunocompromised, especially HIV/AIDS patients, are more susceptible to developing the infection.
• Most infections develop after the yeast is inhaled into the lungs. Cryptococci have large polysaccharide (sugar) capsules that strongly resist phagocytosis. This means the body's immune system cells have to work hard to engulf the yeast organism.
• The body's inflammatory reaction to the inhaled yeast causes a primary pulmonary-lymph node complex, which usually prevents the organism from spreading beyond the lungs. Most pulmonary infections are asymptomatic (cause no symptoms), but patients who are severely immunocompromised may develop diffuse interstitial pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs).
• C. neoformans can spread beyond the lungs, especially if the patient is immunocompromised. Dissemination (spread to other body parts) can occur during the initial stage of the infection or during reactivation of infection years later.
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Causes

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Symptoms

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Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Integrative Therapies

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Prevention

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Author Information

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Bibliography

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