Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans has risen to a worldwide highly recognizable major opportunistic pathogen with deadly consequences. It has become a model fungus to study a variety of paradigms in the host-fungus relationships. Genomic studies are advancing knowledge on its evolution and dissecting its virulence composite. Studies designed to understand host immunology to this fungus are leading to development of active and passive prevention and therapeutic strategies. This article collates and analyzes both new and old knowledge about the pathogen to help frame the meaning of human cryptococcosis as it starts to evolve in the new millennium.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
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Animals
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Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / pathology
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Cryptococcosis* / diagnosis
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Cryptococcosis* / epidemiology
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Cryptococcosis* / etiology
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Cryptococcus neoformans / genetics
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Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification
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Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity*
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Dermatomycoses / pathology
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Disease Management
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Eye Infections, Fungal / pathology
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Humans
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Immunity, Cellular
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Incidence
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Male
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Meningitis, Cryptococcal / pathology
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Mice
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Prognosis
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Prostate / microbiology
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Prostate / pathology
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Risk Factors