Cryptococcus Neoformans: An Opportunistic Pathogen

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogen that can cause Cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that can be found in soil contaminated with bird feces. It can also be found in fruits, milk, plants and in human feces (Davis, 2011). This type of fungus produces airborne spores into the environment. These spores can then be inhaled by humans. This is the only means by which an individual can become infected with cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis is not a contagious disease. Therefore, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic pathogen. Once an individual inhales these spores, they can become infected and develop what is known as Cryptococcal meningitis. However, not everyone develops cryptococcal meningitis. For the most part, when healthy individuals inhale these spores they usually don’t get infected with cryptococcosis. On the other hand, individuals with an immunodeficiency due to an illness like HIV or AIDS, are highly susceptible to cryptococcosis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cryptococcosis is one of the common causes of deaths for people who are infected with HIV or AIDS. This infection is very prominent especially in poor countries where treatment and prevention of cryptococcosis is unattainable. One example, is in sub-Saharan Africa, where one third to over one half of the people infected with HIV/AIDS die due to Cryptoccoccal meningitis (CDC, 2012).

What are the symptoms of Cryptococcal meningitis? The symptoms of Cryptococcal meningitis depends on the individual. Some people will inhale these spores and develop a lung infection without symptoms. However, some individuals will get a lung infection and will experience res...

... middle of paper ...

...hen there is a delay in detecting cryptococcosis in patients with an immunodeficiency this puts the patients at risk of becoming infected with Cryptococcal meningitis. Therefore, in my opinion the LFA is an excellent method for preventing and detecting Cryptococcal meningitis. Since it is an easy test to perform and can detect the CrAg fast enough to treat patients who are infected. This is especially beneficial for patients with an immunodeficiency due to HIV/AIDS because the infection can be detected early enough and can save the patient’s life. Hopefully, this test will be able to reduce the amount of people who die due to Cryptococcal meningitis. It is very important that these laboratory tests are done effectively and efficiently to avoid any errors in misdiagnosing since Cyrptococcal meningitis can be fatal to anyone who becomes infected with cryptococcosis.