Any of various yeastlike fungi of the genus Cryptococcus, commonly occurring in the soil and including certain pathogenic species, such as the causative agent of cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcosis is reportedly an infectious disease of the lungs or central nervous system (the brain or spinal cord) caused by the fungus cryptococcus (either Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii), which is typically found in the environment and inhaled.
(2-4) The most common causative agents in birds are Cryptococcus neoformans, which has a worldwide distribution, and Cryptococcus gattii, which is geographically restricted to warmer climates by its strong association with eucalyptus trees.
Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection most commonly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and more rarely by Cryptococcus gattii. Cryptococcus is an environmental yeast found in soil and bird droppings, typically acquired through inhalation of spores.
Cryptococcosis is mostly caused by two encapsulated yeasts, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. It is a life-threatening infection occurring mainly in patients with impaired cellular immunity with >1,000,000 cases estimated each year worldwide [1].
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