Purpose of review: To perform an extensive review of recent literature and provide an update on the current epidemiology, clinical features and management of cryptococcal disease with a focus on the differences between patients depending on their immune status.
Recent findings: Emerging literature has highlighted the inflammatory pathophysiology and varied manifestations of cryptococcal infections in patients who are apparently healthy but paradoxically have a more critical clinical course compared to their immunosuppressed counterparts.
Summary: Non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis has greater mortality compared to that seen in HIV patients. Basic science experiments closely analyzing the underlying pathophysiological response to this infection have demonstrated the predominant role of T cell-mediated inflammatory injury in causing worse clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to define the need for immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of this illness.
Keywords: Cryptococcus; HIV; immunity; meningitis; steroids; ventricular shunt.