The origin and maintenance of virulence for the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans

Judith N. Steenbergen, Arturo Casadevall

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

The origin of virulence in environmental fungi that have no requirement for animal hosts in their life cycle is enigmatic. Cryptococcus neoformans is a human pathogenic fungus with virulence factors for mammalian pathogenesis that also contribute to environmental survival. C. neoformans virulence may originate from selection pressures imposed by environmental predators.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)667-675
Number of pages9
JournalMicrobes and Infection
Volume5
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amoebae
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • Fungal
  • Fungi
  • Pathogenicity
  • Virulence
  • Virulence factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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