Cryptococcus and cryptococcosis

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. Lung disease and meningocephalitis are the most common clinical outcomes of cryptococcosis, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Current estimates suggest 278,000 cases of human cryptococcal meningitis annually. This syndrome is fatal if untreated. Treatment of cryptococcosis is expensive and poorly effective. This complex scenario makes clear the need for innovation in the field of Cryptococcus and cryptococcosis.