Cameron & Arthi

Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by either one of two species: Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii. The disease was first discovered in 1894 by an Italian scientist who isolated the fungus from peach juice. From its discovery, Cryptococcosis didnt have its first major outbreak until 1960. Thought to be acquired through the inhalation of the fungus from the environment, the fungus has a specific ecological association to the spores of eucalyptus trees. Cryptococcus has been found notably in sub-tropic and tropic habitats; however, the first outbreak of the strain Cryptococcus gattii was found on Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. From there, the fungus travelled to British Columbia and to the Pacific Northwest. The infection is simply spread through the air. Since the fungus is primarily inhaled, the lung is the principal portal of entry. The infection is considered subacute, as the host experiences symptoms usually one to two days after coming down with the infection. Initial symptoms associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis include fever, fatigue, chest pain, and a dry cough. For a quick diagnosis, patients are given a culture, sputum, or urine test. The pathogen is detected immediately. A closer examination may reveal symptoms similar to those found in patients with pneumonia (tachypnea, shortness of breath, chest pain). More serious symptoms of pulmonary cryptococcosis include acute respiratory failurewhich occurs in more than ten percent of patientsand other disseminated infections. One primary site in which one of these disseminated infections takes place is the central nervous system. This stage of the infection is known as cryptococcal meningitis. With the infection of brain tissue, patients may experience symptoms such as a fever, headache, or an altered mental status. Patients with cryptococcal meningitis are administered Amphoterecin B intravenously as well as other antifungal medication. In serious conditions, gamma ray technology can be used for treatment. If not treated

correctly, patients can become at risk of brain damage, hearing loss, and hydrocephalus. In its most advanced stage, the infection causes the patient to fall into a coma, which can lead to death. In Africa, patients inflicted with cryptococcal meningitis have a mortality rate of fifty to seventy percent. The infection is not seen as contagious, as it is not able to spread from person to person. Currently, preventive treatment is non-existent, as experts have been unable to produce a means of prevention from the infection. However, it is very well known that people with deficient immune systems are at a higher risk of coming down with the infection. Cryptococcosis accounts for twenty to twentyfive percent of mortalities in patients who have just started HIV therapy. All HIVpositive patients who have a presence of C.neorformans or are known to have cryptococcal pneumonia should get antifungal treatment immediately, as they are at risk of further, more serious, infection. In addition to people with HIV, people with conditions such as diabetes and leukemia are also at a high risk of coming down with the infection.

Perfect, John R. "Cryptococcosis." Doctor Fungus. N.p., 27 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Zieve, David, and Jatin M. Vyas. "Cryptococcosis." Medline Plus. N.p., 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Aberg, Judith D., and William G. Powederly. "Cryptococcosis and HIV." HIV Insite. N.p., May 2006. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.