Cryptococcus neoformans causes which infection?

Cryptococcus neoformans causes which infection?

• A. Cryptococcosis
• B. Coccidioidomycosis
• C. Blastomycosis
• D. Sporotrichosis

Answer: (A)

Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcosis. This organism is an encapsulated yeast that is inhaled into the lungs and, especially in people with weakened immune systems, can disseminate and infect the meninges, leading to cryptococcal meningitis. Clinically, cryptococcosis is often diagnosed by detecting cryptococcal antigen in serum or CSF, or by showing the capsule with stains like India ink or mucicarmine. Exposure is commonly associated with bird droppings, particularly pigeons. The other fungi listed cause different diseases: the one causing coccidioidomycosis is Coccidioides, the one causing blastomycosis is Blastomyces, and the one causing sporotrichosis is Sporothrix.

Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcosis. This organism is an encapsulated yeast that is inhaled into the lungs and, especially in people with weakened immune systems, can disseminate and infect the meninges, leading to cryptococcal meningitis. Clinically, cryptococcosis is often diagnosed by detecting cryptococcal antigen in serum or CSF, or by showing the capsule with stains like India ink or mucicarmine. Exposure is commonly associated with bird droppings, particularly pigeons.

The other fungi listed cause different diseases: the one causing coccidioidomycosis is Coccidioides, the one causing blastomycosis is Blastomyces, and the one causing sporotrichosis is Sporothrix.