CRYPTOCOCCOSIS
ANURANJINI K S
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
,Introduction
Cryptococcosis is a subacute or chronic infection caused by
yeast Cryptococcus neoformans.
Also called torulosis.
It is a haploid yeast, which is distributed worldwide and it is the
main cause of fungal meningoencephalitis.
The literal meaning of Cryptococcus is derived from Greek
words
‘krypto’ meaning ‘hidden’ “kokkos” as “berry”,”neos” for “new”
and
Latin word ‘’forma” used for form.
Causative agents : C.neoformans and C.gatti
,Cryptococcus neoformans
It is a round or ovoid budding cell
Size – 4-20 micrometer
It is a true yeast due to prominent polysaccharide capsule.
Serotypes of C.neoformans : serotype classification is based on antigenic differences
detected with adsorbed rabbit sera. There are 5
Serotypes. A,B,C,D and AD. This classification is based on immunological reactivity of
Cryptococcal capsule with immune sera
Varieties of C.neoformans: C. neoformans var.grubii(serotype A)
C.neoformans var.neoformans(serotype B ,C
C.neoformans var.gatti( serotype D)
,
ANURANJINI K S
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
,Introduction
Cryptococcosis is a subacute or chronic infection caused by
yeast Cryptococcus neoformans.
Also called torulosis.
It is a haploid yeast, which is distributed worldwide and it is the
main cause of fungal meningoencephalitis.
The literal meaning of Cryptococcus is derived from Greek
words
‘krypto’ meaning ‘hidden’ “kokkos” as “berry”,”neos” for “new”
and
Latin word ‘’forma” used for form.
Causative agents : C.neoformans and C.gatti
,Cryptococcus neoformans
It is a round or ovoid budding cell
Size – 4-20 micrometer
It is a true yeast due to prominent polysaccharide capsule.
Serotypes of C.neoformans : serotype classification is based on antigenic differences
detected with adsorbed rabbit sera. There are 5
Serotypes. A,B,C,D and AD. This classification is based on immunological reactivity of
Cryptococcal capsule with immune sera
Varieties of C.neoformans: C. neoformans var.grubii(serotype A)
C.neoformans var.neoformans(serotype B ,C
C.neoformans var.gatti( serotype D)
,
