Two cases of cryptococcus gattii infection in the rhesus macaque (Macaca Mulatta)

Cryptococcus gattii was diagnosed in two female indoor-housed rhesus macaques. Gross and histopathologic findings included an isolated pulmonary cryptococcoma in a non-SIV-infected macaque and disseminated disease centered on the lungs of an SIV-infected macaque. Fungal yeast were positive with special stains, and the diagnoses were confirmed with a lateral flow assay and PCR.

Emerging Cryptococcus gattii species complex infections in Guangxi, southern China

The emergence and spread of cryptococcosis caused by the Cryptococcus gattii species complex has become a major public concern worldwide. C. deuterogattii (VGIIa) outbreaks in the Pacific Northwest region demonstrate the expansion of this fungal infection to temperate climate regions. However, infections due to the C. gattii species complex in China have rarely been reported. In this study, we studied eleven clinical strains of the C. gattii species complex isolated from Guangxi, southern China. The genetic identity and variability of these isolates were analyzed via multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and the phylogenetic relationships among these isolates and global isolates were evaluated. The mating type, physiological features and antifungal susceptibilities of these isolates were also characterized. Among the eleven isolates, six belonged to C. deuterogattii, while five belonged to C. gattii sensu stricto. The C. deuterogattii strains from Guangxi, southern China were genetically variable and clustered with different clinical isolates from Brazil. All strains were MATα, and three C. deuterogattii isolates (GX0104, GX0105 and GX0147) were able to undergo sexual reproduction. Moreover, most strains had capsule and were capable of melanin production when compared to the outbreak strain from Canada. Most isolates were susceptible to antifungal drugs; yet one of eleven immunocompetent patients died of cryptococcal meningitis caused by C. deuterogattii (GX0147). Our study indicated that the highly pathogenic C. deuterogattii may be emerging in southern China, and effective nationwide surveillance of C. gattii species complex infection is necessary.

Cryptococcosis is a fatal systemic fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii species complexes. As a former member of the C. neoformans, C. gattii had been easily neglected before being elevated to species level. Human C. gattii species complex infection was previously confined to the tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. However, in 1999, an outbreak of C. gattii species complex occurred on Vancouver Island in Canada then expanded to the Pacific Northwest in the USA, causing over 200 infections. The highly virulent, highly pathogenic and more resistant to antifungal drugs of this species have become a therapeutic problem. To initiate a better understanding of the infection characteristics and pathogenicity of C. gattii species complex in Guangxi, southern China, the current study aimed to characterize the C. gattii species complex isolates genetically and phenotypically. The ISHAM consensus MLST scheme was utilized to investigate the genetic structure of C. gattii species complex and to correlate their geographic origin, clinical source, virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility. The authors expect that this work can support surveillance and encourage more research and public health initiatives to prevent and control the cryptococcosis cause by C. gattii species complex.

Receptor-mediated clearance of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide in vivo

Cryptococcus neoformans capsular glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is shed during cryptococcosis and taken up by macrophages. The roles of the putative GXM receptors CD14, CD18, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and TLR4 in GXM clearance from serum and deposition in the liver and spleen in receptor-deficient mice were studied. While alterations in the kinetics of GXM redistribution were seen in the mutant mice, none of the receptors was absolutely required for serum clearance or hepatosplenic accumulation.

The isolation, characterization and antifungal susceptibilities of Cryptococcus neoformans from bird excreta in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in bird excreta in Klang valley, Malaysia was determined in this study. Of 544 samples of bird excreta collected from a local zoo, pet shops and public areas, 20 strains of C. neoformans were isolated. All C. neoformans strains were serotype A and thus identified as C. neoformans variety grubii. All did not produce color changes on canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue agar. All were of alpha-mating types, as determined by a pheromone-specific PCR assay. The antifungal susceptibility testing using agar diffusion method Neo-sensitabs showed that all were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole.

Cryptococcus neoformans myositis without dissemination

We report a case of isolated cryptococcal myositis involving the paraspinal muscle without evidence of disseminated disease in a patient with a large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed at the time of presentation. Biopsy of the muscle involved grew a pure culture of Cryptococcus neoformans and periodic acid-Schiff staining showed numerous budding yeast consistent with Cryptococcus spp. The patient responded to systemic antifungal therapy with complete resolution of his infection. We also present a review of 5 previously published cases of cryptococcal myositis.

[Parasitoses in immune deficiences]

The congenital or acquired cause the state of immune deficiency. To acquired factors belong immunosuppressive therapy after grafting and in systemic diseases as infections with HIV. There is a number of parasitic organisms, mainly protozoa, which preferentially settle in immunocompromised persons. The opportunistic parasites are present in the nearest environment. Some of them were newly recognized as human invaders. The state of immune deficiency may reactivate latent infections, that occurs with Toxoplasma gondii infection. Some parasitic infections which are benign and self- resolving, when affecting immunocompetent hosts, become fulminant or disseminated and very often life - threatening in immunosuppressed individuals.

[The excretion of Cryptococcus neoformans (Sanfelice) VUILLEMIN 1894 by pet birds]

A survey on taxonomy, diagnosis, distribution and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans is given. The investigation presented here concerns 1046 fecal samples of avian species, which can be kept in the living area of humans. All together only 15 strains have been isolated, 9 of which originated from the same breeder.

Cryptococcosis involving the eye and central nervous system of a dog

Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis was diagnosed as the cause of stupor and generalized seizures in a 2-year-old Cocker Spaniel. Unilateral granulomatous chorioretinitis was observed ophthalmoscopically, and isolation of C neoformans from CSF confirmed the antemortem diagnosis. The dog was euthanatized and necropsied. Multifocal lesions were seen throughout the lungs, nasal turbinates, cerebral cortex, and the optic nerve of each eye. Microscopically, the multifocal lesions were granulomas consisting of lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and cryptococcal organisms. Infection may have originated in the nasal passages and extended directly through the ethmoid plate into the meninges of the CNS and optic nerves. Although the prognosis is poor in dogs with CNS involvement, various chemotherapeutic agents are available for use by clinicians.