Abstract
The origin of virulence in environmental fungi that have no requirement for animal hosts in their life cycle is enigmatic. Cryptococcus neoformans is a human pathogenic fungus with virulence factors for mammalian pathogenesis that also contribute to environmental survival. C. neoformans virulence may originate from selection pressures imposed by environmental predators.
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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Cryptococcosis / immunology
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Cryptococcosis / microbiology*
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Cryptococcus neoformans / enzymology
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Cryptococcus neoformans / genetics
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Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity*
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Evolution, Molecular
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Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
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Humans
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Macrophages / microbiology
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Virulence
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Virulence Factors / metabolism