cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis

Causative Agent; Cryptococcus neoformans is capsulated yeast.

It is soil saprophyte and particularly abundant feces of pigeons.

Morphology

Spherical building cell.

It is true yeast and is gram positive.

Capsule may be demonstrated by India-ink staining.

Source of Infection

Infection is usually acquired by inhalation of dirt containing yeast cell.

Pathogenesis

This disease usually sen in immunocompromised host.

Most infection are asymptomatic.

Pulmonary Cryptococcosis may lead to mild pneumonitis.

Cryptococcal meningitis occurs by haematogenous spread.

(Seen in AIDS patients)

Skin, lymph node, bone and other organs infection occurs.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Specimen collection

CSF, Sputum, pus, brain, tissue.

Direct microscopy

Specimen mix with drop of India ink, shows round budding yeast cells.

Shows gram +ve yeast cells.

Culture on SDA

Show colony budding.

Treatment

Antifungal drug.