Cryptococcus neoformans
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Cryptococcus neoformans is a species of fungus that can live in both plants and animals. This species, also known as Filobasidiella (Cryptococcus) neoformans, belongs to the broad class of organisms called "club fungi" or Division Basidiomycota, which is one the five major types of fungi. More specifically, C. neoformans is a type of yeast, but of a very different type than the yeasts used for baking, as a picture of the organism (http://tolweb.org/tree/ToLimages/Filobasidiella_neoformans.jpg) suggests.[1] (https://academickids.com:443/encyclopedia/index.php/Cryptococcus_neoformans#fn_CNPic)
C. neoformans is found mostly in the tropics, but has also been confirmed on southern Vancouver Island on the southwestern coast of Canada. It is most common in Africa, often in soil which has been contaminated by bird excrement. The genome sequence of C. neoformans was published in 2005.[2] (https://academickids.com:443/encyclopedia/index.php/Cryptococcus_neoformans#fn_CNGenome)
In man, it can cause serious illness (such as meningitis or brain abscess) or death in a few people. Diagnosis is generally by taking a spinal tap and culturing it, especially if the cerebrospinal fluid appears cloudy.
The prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans infection, or cryptococcosis, has been increasing over the past 10 years because of the onset of AIDS and the expanded use of immunosuppressive drugs. About 5% of people with HIV develop cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis is also more likely in smokers and in people working outdoors.
Reference
- Template:Anb Photomicrograph hosted by the Tree of Life project (http://tolweb.org/tree/phylogeny.html) and specifically contributed by the Duke University Mycology Research Unit (http://www.dumru.mc.duke.edu/); the picture is part of the Hymenomycetes article (http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Hymenomycetes&contgroup=Basidiomycota). Retrieved 2005-03-15.
- Template:Anb Loftus BJ et al. The genome of the basidiomycetous yeast and human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Science 307(5713), 1321-1324. PMID 15653466.Template:Med-stub