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cryptococcosis
cryp·to·coc·co·sis C0782900 (krĭp′tə-kŏ-kō′sĭs)n. A systemic infection caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans that can affect any organ of the body but most often occurs in the central nervous system.cryptococcosis (ˌkrɪptəʊkɒˈkəʊsɪs) na disease affecting both animals and humans caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans funguscryp•to•coc•co•sis (ˌkrɪp toʊ kɒˈkoʊ sɪs)
n. a disease caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, characterized by lesions, esp. of the nervous system and lungs. [1935–40; < New Latin; see cryptococcus, -osis] Thesaurus| Noun | 1. | cryptococcosis - a fungal infection characterized by nodular lesions--first in the lungs and spreading to the nervous systemfungal infection, mycosis - an inflammatory condition caused by a fungus |
Translationscryptococcosis
cryptococcosis: see fungal infectionfungal infection,
infection caused by a fungus (see Fungi), some affecting animals, others plants. Fungal Infections of Human and Animals
Many fungal infections, or mycoses, of humans and animals affect only the outer layers of skin, and although they are sometimes
..... Click the link for more information. .Cryptococcosis (European blastomycosis), a deep-systemic fungal disease of man and animals caused by the yeastlike fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Cryptococcosis is a rare and serious disease, found in all countries. The sources of infection for man and the paths of dissemination of the pathogenic principle are unknown. In man, cryptococcosis is characterized by predominant affection of the lungs, central nervous system, skin, and subcutaneous tissue, with subsequent metastases to the viscera. Diagnosis of the disease is difficult; laboratory diagnosis consists in isolation of the causative agent. The disease is treated medicinally (amphotericin B), combined with anticryptococcal rabbit serum or gamma globulin. In animals, cryptococcosis is widespread in the USA, Denmark, Italy, France, and the Netherlands, and it has been recorded in Switzerland and the USSR. Cattle, cats, dogs, and monkeys are affected. The causative agent enters the animal’s body through the respiratory and digestive tracts. In cattle, cryptococcosis produces alternate chills and fever, swelling and soreness in the udders, a sharp decrease in milk production, and, with metastasis to the lungs, pneumonia. In dogs and cats, it affects the lungs and central nervous system. The diseased animals show disturbances of coordination, labored breathing, cough, and, occasionally, blindness. Treatment has not been developed. Zoo-hygienic and sanitary measures are of decisive importance in preventing cryptococcosis in animals. REFERENCESpesivtseva, N. A. Mikozy i mikotoksikozy, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1964.cryptococcosis[‚krip·tə·kä′kō·səs] (medicine) A yeast infection of humans, primarily of the central nervous system, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Also known as torulosis. cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis DefinitionCryptococcosis is an infection caused by inhaling the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. It is one of the diseases most often affecting AIDS patients. Cryptococcosis may be limited to the lungs, but frequently spreads throughout the body. Although almost any organ can be infected, the fungus is often fatal if it infects the nervous system where it causes an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).DescriptionThe fungus causing cryptococcis, C. neoformans, is found worldwide in soil contaminated with pigeon or other bird droppings. It has also been found on unwashed raw fruit. Cryptococcosis is a rare disease in healthy individuals, but is the most common fungal infection affecting people with AIDS.People with Hodgkin's disease or who are taking large doses of drugs that suppress the functioning of the immune system (corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs) are also more susceptible to cryptococcal infection. Cryptococcosis is also called cryptococcal meningitis (when the brain is infected), BusseBuschke disease, European blastomycosis, torular meningitis, or torulosis.Causes and symptomsOnce the cryptococcal fungus reaches the lungs, three things can happen. The immune system can heal the body without medical intervention, the disease can stay localized in the lungs, or it can spread throughout the body. In healthy people with normally functioning immune systems, the body usually heals itself, and the infected person notices no symptoms and has no complications (asymptomatic). The disease does not spread from one person to another.Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection that puts people with immune system diseases at higher risk of developing more serious forms of the disease. In the United States, 6-10% of all patients with AIDS get cryptococcosis.If the body does not heal itself, the fungus begins to grow in the lungs and form nodules that can be seen on chest x rays. In the early stages of infection, an individual usually only exhibits symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a dry cough, so the disease is rarely diagnosed.The fungus can remain dormant in the lungs and produce an active infection later if the immune system is weakened. If the disease becomes active, it can cause cryptococcal pneumonia in the lungs. Unfortunately, however, cryptococcal pneumonia has symptoms similar to other pneumonias (cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing), making it difficult to accurately diagnose. The infection can spread to other parts of the body, particularly the brain and central nervous system.Most patients are not diagnosed as having cryptococcosis until they show signs of cryptococcal meningitis, or infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms appear gradually over a period of two to four weeks. Fever and headache are the most common symptoms, occurring in about 85% of patients. Nausea, vomiting, unwanted weight loss, and fatigue are also common. Other symptoms seen in 25-30% of patients are blurred vision, stiff neck, aversion to light, and seizures. Since the symptoms of classic meningitis, such as stiff neck and aversion to light, do not occur in many patients, diagnosis is often delayed. In addition to meningitis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and brain lesions called cryptococcomas or tortulomas can also develop.In addition to the brain, the cryptococcal infection can spread to the kidneys, bone marrow, heart, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, urinary tract, blood, and skin. Often times preceding the development of cryptococcal meningitis, painless rashes and lesions that mimic other skin diseases, such as molluscum contagiosum, may develop. A small percentage of patients with brain infections show infections in other organs as well.DiagnosisPhysicians who regularly work with AIDS patients have the most experience in diagnosing cryptococcosis. The preferred methods of diagnosis use simple and very accurate blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests that detect the presence of an antigen produced by the fungus. The cerebrospinal fluid test is generally more sensitive to detecting the meningitis form of the infection. CSF is collected during a procedure called a lumbar puncture, during which an anesthetic is applied to a small area of the back near the spine and a needle is used to withdraw a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the space between the vertebrae and the spinal cord. Once obtained, a small amount of ink (called India ink) is added to a sample of CSF or a sample prepared from skin lesions. If the fungus is present, it will become visible when the ink binds to the capsule or covering that surrounds the fungus. Faster results are obtained with the India ink test, but it is less accurate than the blood test (75-85% accuracy compared to 99% accuracy with the blood test) because some strains are not visible using this method. Antigen tests are routinely recommended for non-symptomatic patients with advanced AIDS.Another way to diagnose cryptococcosis is to culture a sample of sputum, tissue from a lung biopsy, or CSF in the laboratory to isolate the fungus. Cultures are also done to assess the effectiveness of treatment.Chest x rays are useful in assessing lung damage and may reveal a single mass or multiple distinct nodules, but the x ray alone does not lead to a definitive diagnosis of cryptococcosis.TreatmentOnce cryptococcosis is diagnosed, treatment begins with amphotericin B (Fungizone), sometimes in combination with 5-flucytosine (Ancobon). Amphotericin B is a powerful fungistatic drug with potentially toxic side effects, such as kidney toxicity and lower concentrations of an important blood component called hemoglobin. This medication can also cause fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and muscle aches. Treatment is generally given intravenously during a hospital stay and continues until the patient is stable or improving (no more than two to three weeks). 5-flucytosine is given orally. Patients may also receive other medication to minimize the side effects from these drugs.Amphotericin B, with or without 5-flucytosine, is given for several weeks until the patient is stable, after which the patient receives oral fluconazole (Diflucan). Fluconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug with few serious side effects. Patients with AIDS must continue taking fluconazole for the rest of their lives to prevent a relapse of cryptococcosis. Sometimes fluconazole is given to patients with advanced AIDS as a preventative (prophylactic) measure.Because of the high cost of fluconazole, the manufacturer of the drug, Pfizer, has established a financial assistance plan to make the drug available at lower cost to those who meet certain criteria. Patients needing this drug should ask their doctors about this program.PrognosisUntreated cryptococcosis is always fatal. The acute mortality rate for patients with AIDS is 10-25%. Most deaths are attributable to cryptococcal meningitis and occur within two weeks after diagnosis. For AIDS patients who do not receive continued suppressive therapy (fluconazole), the relapse rate is 50-60% within six months and a shortened life expectancy. Once the cryptococcosis infection has been successfully treated, individuals may be left with a variety of neurologic symptoms, such as weakness, headache, and hearing or visual loss. In addition, fluid may accumulate around the brain (hydrocephalus).PreventionThe best way to prevent cryptococcosis is to stay free of HIV infection. People with suppressed immune systems should try to stay away from areas contaminated with pigeon or other bird droppings, such as the attics of old buildings, barns, and areas under bridges where pigeons roost.Key termsAdrenal gland — A pair of organs located above the kidneys. The outer tissue of the gland produces the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine, while the inner tissue produces several steroid hormones.Amphotericin B (Fengizone) — An antifungal medication, prescribed for topical or systemic use in treating fungal infections.Antibody — A specific protein produced by the immune system in response to a specific foreign protein or particle called an antigen.Antigen — A foreign protein or particle capable of eliciting an immune response.Asymptomatic — Persons who carry a disease but who do not exhibit symptoms of the disease are said to be asymptomatic.Biopsy — The removal of a tissue sample for diagnostic purposes.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — The clear fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain and acts as a shock absorber.Corticosteroids — A group of hormones produced naturally by the adrenal gland or manufactured synthetically. They are often used to treat inflammation. Examples include cortisone and prednisone.Encephalitis — Inflammation of the brain.Hodgkin's disease — A disease that causes chronic inflammation of the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and kidneys. It is also called malignant lymphoma.Hydrocephalus — Build-up of fluid around the brain.Immunocompromised — A state in which the immune system is suppressed or not functioning properly.India ink test — A diagnostic test used to detect the cryptococcal organism C. neoformans. A dye, called India ink, is added to a sample of CSF fluid, and if the fungi is present, they will become visible as the dye binds to the capsule surrounding the fungus.Lumbar puncture — Also called a spinal tap, a procedure in which a thin needle is used to withdraw a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes from the area surrounding the spine.Meningitis — Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord called the meninges.Molluscum contagiosum — A disease of the skin and mucuous membranes, caused by a poxvirus and found all over the world.Opportunistic infection — An infection that is normally mild in a healthy individual, but which takes advantage of an ill person's weakened immune system to move into the body, grow, spread, and cause serious illness.Pneumonia — Inflammation of the lungs, typically caused by a virus, bacteria, or other organism.ResourcesOrganizationsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. 1600 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30333. (800) 311-3435, (404) 639-3311. http://www.cdc.gov.National AIDS Clearinghouse. (800) 458-5231.National AIDS Hotline. (800) 342-AIDS.Project Inform. 205 13th Street, #2001, San Francisco, CA 94103. (800) 822-7422. http://www.projinf.org.cryptococcosis [krip″to-kok-o´sis] infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, which has a predilection for the brain and meninges but also invades the skin, lungs, and other parts. It is the most frequent fungal infection of the central nervous system, and the incidence is much higher in immunocompromised" >immunocompromised persons. Presenting symptoms of cryptococcosis of the central nervous system are often vague and include headache, subtle mental changes, and fever. Diagnosis is made by lumbar puncture. Treatment consists of intravenous amphotericin B or oral fluconazole. Supportive care will depend on the patient's symptoms.cryp·to·coc·co·sis (krip'tō-kok-ō'sis), An acute, subacute, or chronic infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, causing pulmonary, disseminated, or meningeal mycosis. The pulmonary form may resolve spontaneously in previously normal people, but dissemination to other organs is fatal if untreated; the most common clinical manifestation is meningitis.cryptococcosis (krĭp′tə-kŏ-kō′sĭs)n. A systemic infection caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans that can affect any organ of the body but most often occurs in the central nervous system.cryptococcosis Infectious disease An infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, the most life-threatening fungal pathogen of Pts with AIDS, due to its CNS affinity At-risk Pts AIDS, cancer, lymphoma, corticosteroids Clinical In non-AIDS Pts, cryptococcosisis may cause transient pneumonia; in immunocompromise, C neoformans disseminates to bone, skin, viscera, or brain, causing meningitis, meningoencephalitis Management Amphotericin B, flucytosine. See Cryptococcal meningitis, Cryptococcus neoformans. cryp·to·coc·co·sis (krip'tō-kok-ō'sis) Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, causing a pulmonary, disseminated, or meningeal mycosis. The most familiar and readily recognized form involves the central nervous system, with subacute or chronic meningitis.
Synonym(s): Busse-Buschke disease. cryptococcosis An infection with the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans that occurs in tropical areas and in the Southern States of the USA. It affects the lungs first and then spreads to the nervous system and to any part of the body. There are widespread nodules, filled with gelatinous material, in the tissues. A cryptococcal MENINGITIS is a common feature.Busse, Otto, German pathologist, 1867-1922. Busse saccaromycesBusse-Buschke disease - an acute, subacute, or chronic infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, causing a pulmonary, disseminated, or meningeal mycosis. Synonym(s): cryptococcosiscryp·to·coc·co·sis (krip'tō-kok-ō'sis) An acute, subacute, or chronic infection by Cryptococcus neoformans. cryptococcosis
Related to cryptococcosis: histoplasmosisWords related to cryptococcosisnoun a fungal infection characterized by nodular lesions--first in the lungs and spreading to the nervous systemRelated Words |