Cryptococcus neoformans

An Optimized In-House Protocol for Cryptococcus neoformans DNA Extraction from Whole Blood: Comparison of Lysis Buffer and Ox-Bile Methods

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Researchers developed a simple, low-cost method to extract DNA from Cryptococcus neoformans fungal cells found in blood samples. The new method uses a homemade salt buffer solution instead of expensive commercial kits, making it accessible to laboratories in developing countries. Testing showed this method works better than an alternative ox-bile method, detecting very small numbers of fungal cells. This breakthrough could help doctors more quickly diagnose a serious fungal infection called cryptococcal meningitis in resource-limited settings.

Antifungal potential of Rhinacanthus nasutus extracts against the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans

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Researchers studied snake jasmine (Rhinacanthus nasutus), a plant used in traditional Thai medicine, to see if it could fight fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a dangerous pathogen that kills many people worldwide. They found that extract from the plant’s roots effectively slowed fungal growth and weakened the pathogen’s defenses by reducing its ability to produce protective melanin and capsules. Importantly, when combined with amphotericin B, a common antifungal drug, the plant extract worked even better together, suggesting it could enhance existing treatments.

Host-induced climate change: Carbon dioxide tolerance as a Cryptococcus neoformans virulence trait

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When fungi like Cryptococcus neoformans infect humans, they face dramatically higher levels of carbon dioxide in the body compared to the environment. This research shows that the ability to tolerate this higher CO2 is a key virulence factor that helps the fungus cause disease. Scientists discovered that clinical isolates from infected patients are generally better at tolerating CO2 than environmental strains, and this tolerance correlates with how severe infections become.

Low Antigen Titre Disseminated Cryptococcosis in Immunocompromised Hosts: Two Challenging Case Reports

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Two patients with weakened immune systems developed serious fungal blood infections from Cryptococcus despite having unusually low levels of fungal markers in their blood. One was a kidney transplant patient and the other had HIV. Neither showed signs of brain infection, which is unusual for this disease. Both were successfully treated with aggressive antifungal medications once blood cultures confirmed the disseminated infection.

Disseminated cryptococcosis in an HIV patient with hepatitis C as the associated risk factor

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A 29-year-old patient with HIV and hepatitis C developed a serious fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans that spread to the brain. The infection was diagnosed through blood and spinal fluid tests and treated successfully with antifungal medications. This case shows why it is important to recognize and treat fungal infections quickly in people with weakened immune systems and multiple health conditions.

Conjugation of a Cryptococcus neoformans-derived metalloprotease to antifungal-loaded PLGA nanoparticles treats neural cryptococcosis in an in vitro model

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Researchers developed tiny nanoparticle carriers coated with a fungal enzyme that helps them cross the protective barrier around the brain. These particles were loaded with an antifungal drug to treat brain infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. In laboratory tests, the Mpr1-coated particles successfully penetrated the blood-brain barrier better than regular nanoparticles and were more effective at killing the fungal cells.

Cryptococcal endophthalmitis in a patient with malignancy: A case report and literature review

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A 50-year-old woman with advanced lung cancer developed a rare fungal eye infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, resulting in blurred vision. Doctors diagnosed this through eye surgery and fluid analysis, then treated her with strong antifungal medications both injected into the eye and given systemically. After 10 months of treatment, her vision significantly improved, showing that early detection and aggressive antifungal therapy are critical for preventing blindness from this rare infection.

Environmental sources of Cryptococcus neoformans species complex in Kampala, Uganda: A preliminary study

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Researchers in Uganda identified where dangerous fungal organisms that cause meningitis live in the environment. They tested droppings from birds and chickens, and bark from eucalyptus trees. They found that a harmful fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans was present in marabou stork droppings and eucalyptus tree bark, but not in chicken droppings or another related fungus species called C. gattii. This helps explain why some people in Uganda get cryptococcal meningitis, a serious brain infection.

Research Keyword: Cryptococcus neoformans