Difference between revisions of "Cryptococcosis"
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*Antigen and antibody should be tested for as [[Immunoglobulins|antibody]] formed by the body is soon overwhelmed and neutralised by abundent polysaccharide antigen from the capsule in active, systemic infections | *Antigen and antibody should be tested for as [[Immunoglobulins|antibody]] formed by the body is soon overwhelmed and neutralised by abundent polysaccharide antigen from the capsule in active, systemic infections | ||
**Latex agglutination for [[Adaptive Immune System - WikiBlood#Actions of the Adaptive Immune System|antigen]], complement fixation, ELISA and IFAT can be used | **Latex agglutination for [[Adaptive Immune System - WikiBlood#Actions of the Adaptive Immune System|antigen]], complement fixation, ELISA and IFAT can be used | ||
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+ | ===''Cryptococcus neoformans''=== | ||
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+ | *[[Yeast-like fungi|''Cryptococcus neoformans'']] | ||
+ | *Causes a [[Nasal Cavity Inflammatory - Pathology#Infectious causes of rhinitis|granulomatous rhinitis]], gelatinous exudate, [[Lungs Inflammatory - Pathology#Granulomatous pneumonia|granulomatous pneumonia]] | ||
+ | *Nodules or destructive masses which often result in facial swelling | ||
+ | *In severe cases, extension from nasal cavity to involve skin and oral mucosa can occur | ||
+ | *Can invade through adjacent structures, eg: through the cribiform plate into the brain! These cases therefore can present as a primary neurological disease. | ||
+ | *Microscopic: | ||
+ | **Large number of fungi and only few macrophages, lymphocytes and giant cells | ||
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[[Category:Yeast-like_Fungi]] | [[Category:Yeast-like_Fungi]] | ||
[[Category:To_Do_-_Fungi]] | [[Category:To_Do_-_Fungi]] |
Revision as of 14:30, 30 June 2010
- Over 19 species
- C. neoformans only major pathogen
- Worldwide
- Occurs in high concentrations in pigeon droppings (high creatinine concentration)
- The pigeon is not infected
- C. neoformis colonise the droppings after they have been excreted
- Also found in fruit, milk and soil
- Exogenous, inhaled infection which is generally sporadic (non-contageous)
- Can also be absorbed via skin penetration and ingestion
- May be a primary pathogen or opportunistic
- Targets the respiratory system
- Including the paranasal sinuses
- Also can be systemic, cutaneous, visceral, skeletal or ocular
- Causes sporadic mastitis in cattle
- Can spread within the herd
- Affects the CNS of dogs and cats
- Causes cryptococcal meningitis in humans
- Also affects dolphins, foxes, ferrets, monkeys, birds, cheetahs and guinea-pigs
- Large yeast with capsule seen using India ink stain
- Stains with PAS (Periodic acis Schiff)
- Gram positive
- Grows on blood agar and Sabouraud's Dextrose agar forming white, granular colonies which become slimy, mucoid and turn creamy/brown within a week
- Species identified by carbohydrate assimilation tests
- Antigen and antibody should be tested for as antibody formed by the body is soon overwhelmed and neutralised by abundent polysaccharide antigen from the capsule in active, systemic infections
- Latex agglutination for antigen, complement fixation, ELISA and IFAT can be used
Cryptococcus neoformans
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Causes a granulomatous rhinitis, gelatinous exudate, granulomatous pneumonia
- Nodules or destructive masses which often result in facial swelling
- In severe cases, extension from nasal cavity to involve skin and oral mucosa can occur
- Can invade through adjacent structures, eg: through the cribiform plate into the brain! These cases therefore can present as a primary neurological disease.
- Microscopic:
- Large number of fungi and only few macrophages, lymphocytes and giant cells