cryptococcal infection

The emerging fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunomodulatory attributes, and drug susceptibility

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Cryptococcus gattii is a dangerous fungal infection that can affect even healthy people, unlike most fungal infections that target those with weak immune systems. The fungus uses clever tricks to hide from the immune system, including creating protective capsules and producing melanin. Current antifungal drugs like fluconazole are becoming less effective as the fungus develops resistance, making this an urgent public health concern that requires better treatments and early detection.

Mediastinal cryptococcoma as part of disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative pregnant woman with Myasthenia Gravis: Autopsy case report

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A 29-year-old pregnant woman with myasthenia gravis, a condition requiring long-term immune-suppressing medications, died from a widespread fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus. Despite being HIV-negative, her weakened immune system made her vulnerable to this serious infection. An autopsy revealed the infection had spread throughout her body, including her heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys. This case highlights how fungal infections like cryptococcosis can affect people without HIV when their immune systems are compromised by other conditions or medications.

Is Cryptococcus neoformans a pleomorphic fungus?

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Researchers have discovered that Cryptococcus neoformans, a dangerous fungus that causes serious infections, is actually much more shape-shifting than previously thought. Instead of existing as just one simple budding yeast form, the fungus can transform into several different cell types including large ‘titan cells’ and small ‘seed cells,’ each with different characteristics that help it survive and spread in the body. These different forms have distinct genetic programs and can evade the immune system in different ways, making the infection harder to treat. This discovery fundamentally changes how scientists understand this pathogen and could lead to new treatment strategies.

Is Cryptococcus neoformans a pleomorphic fungus?

mycolabadmin

Cryptococcus neoformans is a dangerous fungal pathogen that causes serious infections in humans. For many years, scientists thought this fungus existed primarily as regular yeast cells. However, new research shows the fungus can change into several different cell forms during infection, including larger ‘titan cells’ and smaller ‘seed cells.’ These shape-shifting abilities help the fungus survive in the human body and evade immune responses, making infections harder to treat.

Mediastinal cryptococcoma as part of disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative pregnant woman with Myasthenia Gravis: Autopsy case report

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A 29-year-old pregnant woman with myasthenia gravis died from a widespread fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus, which formed a large mass in her chest. Although she tested negative for HIV, her use of immunosuppressive medications to treat her muscle disease, combined with pregnancy’s natural effects on immune function, made her vulnerable to this serious fungal infection. The infection was initially misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, and the diagnosis was only confirmed after her death during autopsy, highlighting the importance of testing for fungal infections even in patients without HIV.

Effects of simulated microgravity on biological features and virulence of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

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Scientists studied how a dangerous fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans behaves in space-like conditions. They found that in simulated microgravity, the fungus becomes more dangerous by developing thicker protective capsules and producing more melanin, while also becoming more resistant to certain stresses. Interestingly, the fungus became more sensitive to one antifungal drug but maintained resistance to others. When tested on microscopic worms, the fungus grown in simulated microgravity killed them more quickly, suggesting space conditions could make this fungus more harmful to astronauts.

Immunomodulatory activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius crude extract to human monocyte against Cryptococcus neoformans

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This research shows that an extract from the Phoenix oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) can boost the body’s immune cells to fight dangerous fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. When immune cells are pre-exposed to this mushroom extract and then encounter the fungus, they become more effective at killing it through increased production of immune-signaling molecules and reactive oxygen species. This natural supplement approach offers a promising alternative to traditional antifungal drugs, which often have significant side effects and can lead to drug resistance.

Immunometabolic reprogramming in macrophages infected with active and dormant Cryptococcus neoformans: differential modulation of respiration, glycolysis, and fatty acid utilization

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Researchers discovered that when fungal yeast cells enter a dormant state inside immune cells, they trigger different metabolic changes compared to actively growing yeast. While active yeast pushes immune cells to work harder metabolically, dormant yeast causes minimal stress but increases fat uptake by immune cells. This difference may explain how some fungal infections can remain hidden in the body for long periods without causing symptoms.

Research Keyword: cryptococcal infection