The Open Epidemiology Journal

2013, 6 : 9-17
Published online 2013 September 20. DOI: 10.2174/1874297101306010009
Publisher ID: TOEPIJ-6-9

Cryptococcosis, A Risk for Immunocompromised and Immunocompetent Individuals

Maurimélia Mesquita da Costa , Francisco Martins Teixeira , Taysa Ribeiro Schalcher , Mioni Thielli Figueiredo Magalhães de Brito , Erika Silva Valerio and Marta Chagas Monteiro
Departamento de Farmacia, Universidade Federal do Para - UFPA, Belém, PA, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

The genus Cryptococcus includes at least 37 different species, of which, two are important human pathogens: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. These fungi are opportunistic pathogens and etiologic agents of cryptococcosis disease in humans and animals. A variety of virulence factors interfere with the establishment of cryptococcal infection is usually acquired via inhalation of environmental basidiospores or desiccated yeasts. Cryptococcosis has gained medical importance over the last decade due to the AIDS pandemic, and become an emerging pathogen of immunocompetent individuals, especially in children. This disease in humans may involve every tissue, including cutaneous and pulmonary sites, but the most serious manifestation is central nervous system involvement with meningoencephalitis. In this review, we briefly described the taxonomy, the fungus biology, epidemiology and clinical manifestations of cryptococcosis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.

Keywords:

Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, cryptococcosis.