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</div><div><span>Cryptococcosis</span></div></div>
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Cryptococcosis</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Cryptococcosis is infection with the fungi <em>Cryptococcus neoformans</em> or <em>Cryptococcus gattii</em>.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p><em>C neoformans</em> and <em>C gattii</em> are the fungi that cause this disease. Infection with <em>C neoformans</em> is seen worldwide. Infection with <em>C gattii</em> has mainly been seen in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, British Columbia in Canada, Southeast Asia, and Australia. In the United States, sporadic cases have been seen in many states including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Florida. Cryptococcus is the most common fungus that causes serious infection worldwide.</p><p>Both types of fungi are found in soil. If you breathe the fungus in, it infects your lungs. The infection may go away on its own, remain in the lungs only, or spread throughout the body (disseminate). <em>C neoformans</em> infection is most often seen in people with a weak immune system, such as those who:</p><ul><li>Are infected with <a test="test" href="./000594.htm">HIV/AIDS</a></li><li>Take corticosteroid medicines</li><li>Cancer</li><li>Are on chemotherapy medicines for cancer</li><li>Have <a test="test" href="./000580.htm">Hodgkin disease</a></li><li>Have had an organ transplant</li></ul><p><em>C gattii</em> may affect people with normal immune system.</p><p><em>C neoformans</em> is the most common life-threatening cause of fungal infection in people with HIV/AIDS.</p><p>People between 20 to 40 years of age are the most common age group that has this infection. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>The infection may spread to the brain in people who have a weakened immune system. Neurological (brain) symptoms start slowly. Most people have swelling and irritation of the brain and spinal cord when they are diagnosed. Symptoms of brain infection may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003090.htm">Fever</a> and headache</li><li>Neck stiffness</li><li><a test="test" href="./003117.htm">Nausea</a> and vomiting</li><li><a test="test" href="./003029.htm">Blurred vision</a> or double vision</li><li><a test="test" href="./003205.htm">Confusion</a></li></ul><p>The infection can also affect the lungs and other organs. Lung symptoms may include:</p><ul><li>Difficulty in breathing</li><li>Cough</li><li><a test="test" href="./003079.htm">Chest pain</a></li></ul><p>Other symptoms may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003180.htm">Bone pain</a> or tenderness of the breastbone</li><li><a test="test" href="./003088.htm">Fatigue</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003220.htm">Skin rash</a>, including pinpoint red spots (<a test="test" href="./003235.htm">petechiae</a>), ulcers, or other skin lesions</li><li><a test="test" href="./007259.htm">Sweating</a> -- unusual, excessive at night</li><li><a test="test" href="./003097.htm">Swollen glands</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003107.htm">Unintentional weight loss</a></li></ul><p>People with a healthy immune system may have no symptoms at all.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms and travel history. The physical exam may reveal:</p><ul><li>Abnormal breath sounds</li><li>Fast heart rate</li><li>Fever</li><li>Mental status changes</li><li>Stiff neck </li></ul><p>Tests that may be done include:</p><ul><li>Blood culture to differentiate between the two fungi</li><li><a test="test" href="./003786.htm">CT scan of the head</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003723.htm">Sputum culture</a> and stain</li><li><a test="test" href="./003860.htm">Lung biopsy</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003857.htm">Bronchoscopy</a> and bronchoalveolar lavage</li><li><a test="test" href="./003428.htm">Spinal tap</a> to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003769.htm">Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture</a> and other tests to check for signs of infection</li><li><a test="test" href="./003804.htm">Chest x-ray</a></li><li>Cryptococcal antigen test (looks for a certain molecule that is shed from the cell wall of the <em>Cryptococcus</em> fungus into the bloodstream or CSF) </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Fungal medicines are prescribed for people infected with cryptococcus.</p><p>Medicines include:</p><ul><li>Amphotericin B (can have severe side effects)</li><li>Flucytosine</li><li>Fluconazole</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p><a test="test" href="./002311.htm">Central nervous system</a> involvement often causes death or leads to permanent damage.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of cryptococcosis, especially if you have a weakened immune system.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>C. neoformans var. neoformans infection; C. neoformans var. gatti infection; C. neoformans var. grubii infection</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1382t.jpg" alt="Cryptococcus - cutaneous on the hand" title="Cryptococcus - cutaneous on the hand" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1382.htm">Cryptococcus - cutaneous on the hand</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/2381t.jpg" alt="Cryptococcosis on the forehead" title="Cryptococcosis on the forehead" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/2381.htm">Cryptococcosis on the forehead</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/9485t.jpg" alt="Fungus" title="Fungus" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/9485.htm">Fungus</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Kauffman CA, Chen SC-A. Cryptococcosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 317.</p><p>Perfect JR. Cryptococcosis (<em>Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii</em>). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. <em>Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases</em>. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 262.</p><p>Robles WS, Ameen M. Cryptococcosis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Murrell DF, eds. <em>Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies</em>. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 49.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 9/10/2022</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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