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Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mitchell, TG; Perfect, JR
Published in: Clin Microbiol Rev
October 1995

Although Cryptococcus neoformans and cryptococcosis have existed for several millennia, a century has passed since the discovery of this encapsulated yeast and its devastating disease. With the advent of the AIDS pandemic, cryptococcal meningitis has emerged as a leading cause of infectious morbidity and mortality and a frequently life-threatening opportunistic mycosis among patients with AIDS. Both basic and clinical research have accelerated in the 1990s, and this review attempts to highlight some of these advances. The discussion covers recent findings, current concepts, controversies, and unresolved issues related to the ecology and genetics of C. neoformans; the surface structure of the yeast; and the mechanisms of host defense. Regarding cell-mediated immunity, CD4+ T cells are crucial for successful resistance, but CD8+ T cells may also participate significantly in the cytokine-mediated activation of anticryptococcal effector cells. In addition to cell-mediated immunity, monoclonal antibodies to the major capsular polysaccharide, the glucuronoxylomannan, offer some protection in murine models of cryptococcosis. Clinical concepts are presented that relate to the distinctive features of cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cryptococcosis in AIDS patients.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Clin Microbiol Rev

DOI

ISSN

0893-8512

Publication Date

October 1995

Volume

8

Issue

4

Start / End Page

515 / 548

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Virulence
  • Microbiology
  • Humans
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • Cryptococcosis
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections
  • 3207 Medical microbiology
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Mitchell, T. G., & Perfect, J. R. (1995). Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans. Clin Microbiol Rev, 8(4), 515–548. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.8.4.515
Mitchell, T. G., and J. R. Perfect. “Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans.Clin Microbiol Rev 8, no. 4 (October 1995): 515–48. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.8.4.515.
Mitchell TG, Perfect JR. Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1995 Oct;8(4):515–48.
Mitchell, T. G., and J. R. Perfect. “Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans.Clin Microbiol Rev, vol. 8, no. 4, Oct. 1995, pp. 515–48. Pubmed, doi:10.1128/CMR.8.4.515.
Mitchell TG, Perfect JR. Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1995 Oct;8(4):515–548.

Published In

Clin Microbiol Rev

DOI

ISSN

0893-8512

Publication Date

October 1995

Volume

8

Issue

4

Start / End Page

515 / 548

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Virulence
  • Microbiology
  • Humans
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • Cryptococcosis
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections
  • 3207 Medical microbiology
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences