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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 1997; 18(3): 249-257
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1070994
Copyright © 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Invasive Fungal Infections: Cryptococcosis

Linda M. Mundy, William C. Powderly
  • Divisions of Infectious Diseases and General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Publikationsdatum:
22. April 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The clinical sequelae of host exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans ranges from pulmonary colonization to disseminated invasive fungal disease. After inhalation, the interaction of the host immune status, size of the inoculum, and virulence of the yeast potentially establish or thwart clinical disease. With the rising prevalence of patients with HIV infection, our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of C. neoformans has greatly expanded. We review the current appreciation of host-yeast pathogenesis, along with the diagnostic work-up, treatment, and prevention strategies of cryptococcosis.

Key Words:

cryptococcosis - virulence - treatment - prophylaxis