Sketchy Microbiology: Cryptococcus Neoformans

Crypt for Cryptococcus — Cryptococcus Neoformans

Mummy “Crypt” – Cryptococci are heavily encapsulated

Hexagons on sarcophagus – repeating polysaccharide antigen; the main virulence factor for making cryptococcus anti-phagocytic and the basis for the diagnostic test

Pigeons pooping everywhere and archeologist is coughing — Cryptococcus is transmitted by pigeon droppings and found in soil, then inhaled into the lungs

Ammonia spray bottle – Urease positive

Mummy holding a cane — Opportunistic infection; HIV, High dose steroids, Malignancies

Archeologist coughing — Cryptococcus causes pulmonary symptoms; cough, dyspnea, and other lung infections

Neck brace — Spread to CSF and causes meningitis, this will often lead to permanent neuro deficits

Archeologist sweating – causes Fever

Red and silver sarcophaguses — Bronchopulmonary lavage of lung tissue that resemble soap bubbles, tissue samples can be stained with mucicarmine red or methanamine silver stains

Bubbling tar with skull — Diagnose via lumbar puncture and then use India ink. It will show wide encapsulated halos

Latex gloves on crypt pattern — Latex agglutination test detects polysaccharide antigen and causes agglutination

Soap bubbles on mummy — Distinct pathology of the brain; has soap bubble lesions

Flute player, frogs, and pine cone — Treat with joint therapy. Amphotericin B and Flucytosine together and then fluconazole after