Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a fungal pathogen, commonly found in urban environments (Tampieri, 2006) that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals through inhalation of spores. In healthy individuals Cn infection is usually cleared, or can remain in a latent form for prolonged periods of time. However, in individuals with impaired immune function, the infection may spread to the central nervous system (CNS), causing life-threatening meningitis (Casadevall & Perfect, 1998; Hull & Heitman, 2002). Thus, the disease is relatively common in AIDS patients. A recent study shows that the prevalence of cryptococcosis has declined with the increasing availability of highly active retroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV (Lortholary et al., 2006; Mirza et al., 2003). However, the disease continues to be a problem for those with limited access to HAART, especially in the developing world (Banerjee et al., 2001; Marques et al., 2000). Another group of individuals who are susceptible to cryptococcosis are organ transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy (Husain et al., 2001; Vilchez et al., 2002). However, cryptococcosis is not limited to immunocompromised persons, as shown by the recent outbreak in Vancouver among healthy individuals (Hoang et al., 2004).
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | New Insights in Medical Mycology |
| Publisher | Springer Netherlands |
| Pages | 131-157 |
| Number of pages | 27 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781402063978, 9781402063961 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
Cite this
Pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans. / McClelland, Erin E.; Casadevall, Arturo; Eisenman, Helene C.
New Insights in Medical Mycology. Springer Netherlands, 2007. p. 131-157.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - Pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans
AU - McClelland, Erin E.
AU - Casadevall, Arturo
AU - Eisenman, Helene C.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a fungal pathogen, commonly found in urban environments (Tampieri, 2006) that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals through inhalation of spores. In healthy individuals Cn infection is usually cleared, or can remain in a latent form for prolonged periods of time. However, in individuals with impaired immune function, the infection may spread to the central nervous system (CNS), causing life-threatening meningitis (Casadevall & Perfect, 1998; Hull & Heitman, 2002). Thus, the disease is relatively common in AIDS patients. A recent study shows that the prevalence of cryptococcosis has declined with the increasing availability of highly active retroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV (Lortholary et al., 2006; Mirza et al., 2003). However, the disease continues to be a problem for those with limited access to HAART, especially in the developing world (Banerjee et al., 2001; Marques et al., 2000). Another group of individuals who are susceptible to cryptococcosis are organ transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy (Husain et al., 2001; Vilchez et al., 2002). However, cryptococcosis is not limited to immunocompromised persons, as shown by the recent outbreak in Vancouver among healthy individuals (Hoang et al., 2004).
AB - Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a fungal pathogen, commonly found in urban environments (Tampieri, 2006) that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals through inhalation of spores. In healthy individuals Cn infection is usually cleared, or can remain in a latent form for prolonged periods of time. However, in individuals with impaired immune function, the infection may spread to the central nervous system (CNS), causing life-threatening meningitis (Casadevall & Perfect, 1998; Hull & Heitman, 2002). Thus, the disease is relatively common in AIDS patients. A recent study shows that the prevalence of cryptococcosis has declined with the increasing availability of highly active retroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV (Lortholary et al., 2006; Mirza et al., 2003). However, the disease continues to be a problem for those with limited access to HAART, especially in the developing world (Banerjee et al., 2001; Marques et al., 2000). Another group of individuals who are susceptible to cryptococcosis are organ transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy (Husain et al., 2001; Vilchez et al., 2002). However, cryptococcosis is not limited to immunocompromised persons, as shown by the recent outbreak in Vancouver among healthy individuals (Hoang et al., 2004).
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79955715147&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/978-1-4020-6397-8_6
DO - 10.1007/978-1-4020-6397-8_6
M3 - Chapter
SN - 9781402063978
SN - 9781402063961
SP - 131
EP - 157
BT - New Insights in Medical Mycology
PB - Springer Netherlands
ER -