Ecology of Cryptococcus Neoformans and Prevalence of its Two Varieties in AIDS and non-AIDS Associated Cryptococcosis

Requirement for CD4+T Lymphocytes in Host Resistance againstCryptococcus neoformansin the Central Nervous System of Immunized Mice

“…The disease is generally thought to be acquired via inhalation and, following dissemination of the organism into the bloodstream, the disease generally is manifested as often fatal meningoencephalitis (27,33). The incidence of cryptococcosis has increased significantly as a result of the growing number of immunocompromised individuals, due to the expanding use of immunosuppressive drugs and to the spread of human immunodeficiency virus.…”

Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunits Have Divergent Roles in Virulence Factor Production in Two Varieties of the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

“…Serotype A strains are the most common clinical isolates in the world, representing 99% of isolates from AIDS patients (38). Although clinically less common, serotype D and AD hybrid strains are still important pathogens and can represent 10% or more of clinical isolates in some regions of the world such as Europe (6,34).…”

Crytococcus neoformansvar.gattiiin an AIDS patient: first observation in Mexico

“…This type of infection occurred as a complication of debilitating diseases such as Hodgkin's disease, leukaemia, other forms of cancer, sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis (steroid therapy) [1]. At present, it is common to find reports describing the high risk of AIDS patients to develop cryptococcosis infections.…”

“…At present, it is common to find reports describing the high risk of AIDS patients to develop cryptococcosis infections. In the USA, 50% or more of all cryptococcosis infections reported annually are in HIV-positive patients; hence cryptococcosis is considered the fourth most likely infection to threaten the life of HIV-positive patients [1,3]. In tropical Africa, cryptococcal meningitis together with tuberculosis are the two most important opportunistic diseases affecting AIDS patients [3].…”

“…Before the current AIDS epidemic, the existence of the var. gattii was rare [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] …”