Cryptococcosis

Basics

Description

  • Major invasive fungal infection, caused by encapsulated yeasts
  • There are >30 different species of Cryptococcus. Two species cause nearly all cryptococcal disease in humans—Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. C. neoformans is the principal human pathogen:
    • C. neoformans infection is more common in immunocompromised persons.
    • Two varieties: C. neoformans var. grubii, C. neoformans var. neoformans
    • C. gattii causes disease in otherwise healthy persons (1).
  • Cryptococcus is found in the droppings of wild birds, often pigeons. Dust from the droppings (soil or vegetation) can infect humans (or pets) by inhalation.
  • Infected humans and animals are not infectious.
  • Primary route of infection is inhalation of spores, followed by hematogenous spread.
  • Predisposition for nervous system and skin
  • Can remain latent in the lungs for varying periods
  • Cryptococcal meningitis is a common AIDS-defining infection in HIV-seropositive persons.

Epidemiology

  • Predominant group: immunosuppressed adults, with CD4 cell counts below 100 cells/μL
  • Predominant gender: male > female (reflecting HIV prevalence)
  • Major disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa followed by South and Southeast Asia, Oceania, Western and Central Europe. North Africa, Middle East, and North America have the fewest cases (1,2).

Incidence

  • Incidence decreasing in developed nations due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV:
    • 1 million new cases worldwide each year
    • 600,000 deaths worldwide each year mostly in sub-Saharan Africa (500,000)
  • 2–7% of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients in the United States with fatality rate of 12%
  • 0.5–1% incidence among HIV-infected children in United States
  • 0.4 to 1.3 cases per 100,000 in general population (1,3)

Prevalence

  • U.S. AIDS patients: 3%
  • AIDS patients in developing world: up to 38%
  • U.S. organ transplantation recipients: 3%
  • Common in renal transplant patients
  • Can be seen in extrathoracic sarcoidosis

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Cryptococcus is found in pigeon droppings; transmission likely through exposure to contaminated soil or vegetation rather than direct exposure
  • Virulence factors: polysaccharide capsule and capacity for biofilm formation. Unencapsulated forms are readily phagocytosed. Polysaccharide capsule resists phagocytosis and inhibits leukocyte migration to areas of fungal replication.

Risk Factors

  • Immunosuppression due to HIV (CD4 <100 cells/mm3)
  • Immunosuppression from chronic steroid use or other medications (biologic agents)
  • Organ transplant, malignancy, or sarcoidosis

General Prevention

  • Early HAART in HIV-positive patients is the most important and cost-effective preventive strategy.
  • Primary antifungal prophylaxis with fluconazole or itraconazole in patients with advanced HIV disease (CD4 <100 cells/mm3) decreases the incidence of cryptococcal disease; no overall mortality benefit yet demonstrated (4)[A]
  • Fluconazole (200 mg/day) is effective as secondary antifungal prophylaxis after 10 weeks of induction and consolidation therapy. Itraconazole is inferior to fluconazole and should not be used to prevent relapse (4)[A].

Commonly Associated Conditions

HIV/AIDS

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