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==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Infection|Infective]] [[Cryptococcal infection|cryptococcal]] [[species]] are ubiquitous and natural exposure by [[inhalation]] is very common. [[Cryptococci]] are [[intracellular]] [[pathogens]]. Once they are [[Phagocytosis|phagocytosed]], they [[Germination|germinate]] and multiply within the [[macrophages]]. The [[immune response]] to [[cryptococcal infection]] is highly dependent on host [[T-cell]] function, and [[interferon-γ]] and [[Tumor necrosis factor-alpha|TNF-α]] [[Cell signaling|signaling]]. Microscopically, ''[[Cryptococcus neoformans|Cryptococci]]'' are characterized by a thick [[mucopolysaccharide]] [[capsule]] with a refractile center.
[[Infection|Infective]] [[Cryptococcal infection|cryptococcal]] [[species]] are ubiquitous and natural exposure by [[inhalation]] is very common. [[Cryptococci]] are [[intracellular]] [[pathogens]]. Once they are [[Phagocytosis|phagocytosed]], they [[Germination|germinate]] and multiply within the [[macrophages]]. The [[immune response]] to [[cryptococcal infection]] is highly dependent on host [[T-cell]] function and [[interferon-γ]] and [[Tumor necrosis factor-alpha|TNF-α]] [[Cell signaling|signaling]]. Microscopically, ''[[Cryptococcus neoformans|Cryptococci]]'' are characterized by a thick [[mucopolysaccharide]] [[capsule]] with a refractile center.


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
*[[Infection|Infective]] [[Cryptococcal infection|cryptococcal]] [[species]] are ubiquitous and natural exposure is very common.
*[[Infection|Infective]] [[Cryptococcal infection|cryptococcal]] [[species]] are ubiquitous and natural exposure is very common.
*Infection occurs by [[inhalation]] of [[Aerosol|aerosolized]], dessicated basidiospores.
*[[Infection]] occurs by [[inhalation]] of [[Aerosol|aerosolized]], dessicated [[basidiospores]].
*Once these spores reach the [[alveoli]], they are [[phagocytosed]] by the [[Macrophages|alveolar macrophages]] without prior [[opsonization]] (usually required for [[yeast]] forms).
*Once these spores reach the [[alveoli]], they are [[phagocytosed]] by the [[Macrophages|alveolar macrophages]] without prior [[opsonization]] (usually required for [[yeast]] forms).
*[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococci]] are [[intracellular]] [[pathogens]]. Once they are [[Phagocytosis|phagocytosed]], they [[Germination|germinate]] and multiply within the [[macrophages]].
*''[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococci]]'' are [[intracellular]] [[pathogens]]. Once they are [[Phagocytosis|phagocytosed]], they [[Germination|germinate]] and multiply within the [[macrophages]].
*Activated [[Macrophage|macrophages]] are capable of destroying the [[yeast]] forms that develop; however, non-activated macrophages act as [[Germination|germination centers]] for [[cryptococci]].
*Activated [[Macrophage|macrophages]] are capable of destroying the [[yeast]] forms that develop; however, non-activated macrophages act as [[Germination|germination centers]] for [[cryptococci]].
*[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococci]] have the ability of forming giant cells that resist [[phagocytosis]] and have been hypothesized to play a role in latent [[Infection|infections]] and reactivation.
*''[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococci]]'' have the ability to form giant cells that resist [[phagocytosis]] and have been hypothesized to play a role in latent [[Infection|infections]] and reactivation.
*[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococci]] also have the ability of changing the number of sets of [[chromosomes]] during [[infection]], this has been associated with heteroresistance to certain [[antifungal]] agents.
*''[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococci]]'' also have the ability to change the number of sets of [[chromosomes]] they have during [[infection]]; this has been associated with heteroresistance to certain [[antifungal]] agents.
*After exposure to desiccated [[yeast]] cells or [[Spore|spores]], patients may clear [[infection]] or contain it within [[Granuloma|granulomata]] as a latent [[infection]], or it may [[Disseminated disease|disseminate]] depending on host [[immune]] status or other less well understood mechanisms.
*After exposure to desiccated [[yeast]] cells or [[Spore|spores]], patients may clear the [[infection]], contain it within [[Granuloma|granulomata]] as a latent [[infection]], or the infection may [[Disseminated disease|disseminate]]. This depends on the host's [[immune]] status or other, less well-understood mechanisms.
*[[Disseminated disease]] occurs among patients with compromised [[cell-mediated immunity]].
*[[Disseminated disease]] occurs among patients with compromised [[cell-mediated immunity]].
*The [[immune response]] to [[cryptococcal infection]] is highly dependent on host [[T-cell]] function, and [[interferon-γ]] and [[Tumor necrosis factor-alpha|TNF-α]] [[Cell signaling|signaling]].  
*The [[immune response]] to [[cryptococcal infection]] is highly dependent on host [[T-cell]] function and [[interferon-γ]] and [[Tumor necrosis factor-alpha|TNF-α]] [[Cell signaling|signaling]].  
*[[Granuloma]] formation can also be seen and may also be responsible for reactivation in patients with [[Immunocompromised host|immunocompromised states]].<ref name="pmid22167400">{{cite journal| author=Brizendine KD, Baddley JW, Pappas PG| title=Pulmonary cryptococcosis. | journal=Semin Respir Crit Care Med | year= 2011 | volume= 32 | issue= 6 | pages= 727-34 | pmid=22167400 | doi=10.1055/s-0031-1295720 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22167400  }} </ref><ref name="pmid26685750">{{cite journal| author=May RC, Stone NR, Wiesner DL, Bicanic T, Nielsen K| title=Cryptococcus: from environmental saprophyte to global pathogen. | journal=Nat Rev Microbiol | year= 2015 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=26685750 | doi=10.1038/nrmicro.2015.6 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=26685750  }} </ref>
*[[Granuloma]] formation can also be seen and may also be responsible for reactivation in patients with [[Immunocompromised host|immunocompromised states]].<ref name="pmid22167400">{{cite journal| author=Brizendine KD, Baddley JW, Pappas PG| title=Pulmonary cryptococcosis. | journal=Semin Respir Crit Care Med | year= 2011 | volume= 32 | issue= 6 | pages= 727-34 | pmid=22167400 | doi=10.1055/s-0031-1295720 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22167400  }} </ref><ref name="pmid26685750">{{cite journal| author=May RC, Stone NR, Wiesner DL, Bicanic T, Nielsen K| title=Cryptococcus: from environmental saprophyte to global pathogen. | journal=Nat Rev Microbiol | year= 2015 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=26685750 | doi=10.1038/nrmicro.2015.6 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=26685750  }} </ref>


===Microscopic Pathology===
===Microscopic Pathology===
[[File:Cryptococcosis of lung in patient with AIDS Mucicarmine stain.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Cryptococcosis of the lung in patient with AIDS (Mucicarmine stain)]]
[[File:Cryptococcosis of lung in patient with AIDS Mucicarmine stain.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Cryptococcosis of the lung in patient with [[AIDS]] (Mucicarmine stain)]]
[[File:Cryptococcus_neoformans2.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Cryptococcosis in the cerebrospinal fluid with light India ink staining]]
[[File:Cryptococcus_neoformans2.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Cryptococcosis in the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] with light India ink staining]]
<br>
<br>
*[[Cryptococcus]] exists in [[yeast]] form.
*[[Cryptococcus]] exists in [[yeast]] form.
*It is round/ovoid and approximately 5-15 μm (resembles [[Histoplasma capsulatum|Histoplasma]] or [[Candida]], but often larger).
*It is round/ovoid and approximately 5-15 μm (resembles ''[[Histoplasma capsulatum|Histoplasma]]'' or ''[[Candida]]'', but often larger).
*It is characterized by a thick [[mucopolysaccharide]] [[Capsule (anatomy)|capsule]] with a refractile center.
*It is characterized by a thick [[mucopolysaccharide]] [[Capsule (anatomy)|capsule]] with a refractile center.
*India ink staining is used for easy visualization of the capsule in [[cerebrospinal fluid]].<ref name="pmid8862601">{{cite journal| author=Zerpa R, Huicho L, Guillén A| title=Modified India ink preparation for Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid specimens. | journal=J Clin Microbiol | year= 1996 | volume= 34 | issue= 9 | pages= 2290-1 | pmid=8862601 | doi= | pmc=PMC229234 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=8862601  }} </ref>
*India ink staining is used for easy visualization of the capsule in [[cerebrospinal fluid]].<ref name="pmid8862601">{{cite journal| author=Zerpa R, Huicho L, Guillén A| title=Modified India ink preparation for Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid specimens. | journal=J Clin Microbiol | year= 1996 | volume= 34 | issue= 9 | pages= 2290-1 | pmid=8862601 | doi= | pmc=PMC229234 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=8862601  }} </ref>
*It has a tear drop-shaped [[budding]] pattern which is useful in differentiating [[Cryptococcus]] from [[Blastomyces]] and [[Histoplasma]].
*It has a tear drop-shaped [[budding]] pattern which is useful in differentiating ''[[Cryptococcus]]'' from ''[[Blastomyces]]'' and ''[[Histoplasma capsulatum|Histoplasma]]''.
*[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococcal infections]] are usually accompanied by very little [[inflammation]].
*[[Cryptococcus|Cryptococcal infections]] are usually accompanied by very little [[inflammation]].
*[[Cryptococcus]] stain positive with [[methenamine]] [[Silver stain|silver]], [[Alcian blue]], and [[Periodic acid-Schiff stain|PAS]] (may be confused with corpora amylacea in the [[CNS]]).<ref name="librepath">Fungi. Libre Pathology (2015). http://librepathology.org/wiki/index.php/Fungi#Cryptococcosis. Accessed on December 31, 2015.</ref>
*]][[Cryptococcus]]]] stain positive with [[methenamine]] [[Silver stain|silver]], [[Alcian blue]], and [[Periodic acid-Schiff stain|PAS]] (may be confused with corpora amylacea in the [[CNS]]).<ref name="librepath">Fungi. Libre Pathology (2015). http://librepathology.org/wiki/index.php/Fungi#Cryptococcosis. Accessed on December 31, 2015.</ref>





Revision as of 20:05, 3 August 2017

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Serge Korjian M.D.; Yazan Daaboul, M.D.

Overview

Infective cryptococcal species are ubiquitous and natural exposure by inhalation is very common. Cryptococci are intracellular pathogens. Once they are phagocytosed, they germinate and multiply within the macrophages. The immune response to cryptococcal infection is highly dependent on host T-cell function and interferon-γ and TNF-α signaling. Microscopically, Cryptococci are characterized by a thick mucopolysaccharide capsule with a refractile center.

Pathophysiology

Microscopic Pathology

Cryptococcosis of the lung in patient with AIDS (Mucicarmine stain)
Cryptococcosis in the cerebrospinal fluid with light India ink staining



Cryptococcosis (PAS stain)

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References

  1. Brizendine KD, Baddley JW, Pappas PG (2011). "Pulmonary cryptococcosis". Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 32 (6): 727–34. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1295720. PMID 22167400.
  2. May RC, Stone NR, Wiesner DL, Bicanic T, Nielsen K (2015). "Cryptococcus: from environmental saprophyte to global pathogen". Nat Rev Microbiol. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2015.6. PMID 26685750.
  3. Zerpa R, Huicho L, Guillén A (1996). "Modified India ink preparation for Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid specimens". J Clin Microbiol. 34 (9): 2290–1. PMC 229234. PMID 8862601.
  4. Fungi. Libre Pathology (2015). http://librepathology.org/wiki/index.php/Fungi#Cryptococcosis. Accessed on December 31, 2015.