Cryptococcosis Overview
Learn About Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is infection with the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.
C. neoformans var. neoformans infection; C. neoformans var. gatti infection; C. neoformans var. grubii infection
C neoformans and C gattii are the fungi that cause this disease. Infection with C neoformans is seen worldwide. Infection with C gattii has mainly been seen in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, British Columbia in Canada, Southeast Asia, and Australia. In the United States, sporadic cases have been seen in many states including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Florida. Cryptococcus is the most common fungus that causes serious infection worldwide.
Both types of fungi are found in soil. If you breathe the fungus in, it can infect your lungs. The infection may go away on its own, remain in the lungs only, or spread throughout the body (disseminate). C neoformans infection is most often seen in people with a weak immune system, such as those who:
- Have HIV infection
- Take corticosteroid medicines
- Have cancer
- Are on chemotherapy medicines for cancer
- Have had an organ transplant
C gattii may affect people with normal immune system (not immunocompromised).
C neoformans is the most common life-threatening cause of fungal infection in people with HIV/AIDS.
People between 20 to 40 years of age are the most common age group that has this infection.
The infection may spread to the brain in people who have a weakened immune system. Neurological (brain) symptoms start slowly. Most people have swelling and irritation of the brain and spinal cord when they are diagnosed. Symptoms of brain infection may include:
- Fever and headache
- Neck stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Confusion
The infection can also affect the lungs and other organs. Lung symptoms may include:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Cough
- Chest pain
Other symptoms may include:
- Bone pain or tenderness of the breastbone
- Fatigue
- Skin rash, including pinpoint red spots (petechiae), ulcers, or other skin lesions
- Sweating -- unusual, excessive at night
- Swollen glands
- Unintentional weight loss
People with a healthy immune system may have no symptoms at all.
Antifungal medicines are prescribed for people infected with Cryptococcus.
Medicines include:
- Amphotericin B (can have severe side effects)
- Flucytosine
- Fluconazole
University Of Alabama Health Services Foundation, PC
Peter Pappas is an Infectious Disease provider in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Pappas and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cryptococcosis. His top areas of expertise are Cryptococcosis, Sepsis, Meningitis, and Blastomycosis. Dr. Pappas is currently accepting new patients.
Johns Hopkins University
John Baddley is an Infectious Disease provider in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Baddley and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cryptococcosis. His top areas of expertise are Cryptococcosis, Shingles, Sepsis, and Cytomegalic Inclusion Disease. Dr. Baddley is currently accepting new patients.
David Meya practices in Makerere, Uganda. Mr. Meya and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Cryptococcosis. His top areas of expertise are Cryptococcosis, Cryptococcal Meningitis, Meningitis, and Tuberculous Meningitis.
Central nervous system involvement often causes death or leads to permanent damage.
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of cryptococcosis, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
Background: * Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a condition in which there is a decreased level of CD4+ lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), which can lead to opportunistic infections or autoimmune disorders and diseases.
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection that causes a severe syndrome of meningitis that is 100% fatal without antifungal therapy. Even with antifungal therapy, mortality rates remain high, especially in low and middle income countries where the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic increases the risk of cryptococcosis among persons living with HIV infection. The combination of amphotericin and flucytos...
Published Date: August 29, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Robles WS, Ameen M. Cryptococcosis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 49.