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Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated basidiomycetous yeast [1] belonging to the class Tremellomycetes and an obligate aerobe [2] that can live in both plants and animals. Its teleomorph is a filamentous fungus , formerly referred to Filobasidiella neoformans .
The C. neoformans capsule consists of several polysaccharides, of which the major one is the immunomodulatory polysaccharide called glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). [4] GXM is made up of the monosaccharides glucuronic acid , xylose and mannose and can also contain O-acetyl groups.
The majority of Cryptococcus species live in the soil and do not cause disease in humans. Cryptococcus neoformans is the major human and animal pathogen. Papiliotrema laurentii and Naganishia albida, both formerly referred to Cryptococcus, have been known to occasionally cause moderate-to-severe disease in human patients with compromised immunity.
Cryptococcus gattii, formerly known as Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, is an encapsulated yeast found primarily in tropical and subtropical climates. Its teleomorph is Filobasidiella bacillispora , a filamentous fungus belonging to the class Tremellomycetes .
A blastoconidium (plural blastoconidia) is an asexual holoblastic conidia formed through the blowing out or budding process of a yeast cell, which is a type of asexual reproduction that results in a bud arising from a parent cell. [1] [2] The production of a blastoconidium can occur along a true hyphae, pseudohyphae, or a singular yeast cell. [3]
Magnification of the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans; the capsules are the circular outer borders of the yeast cells. A clear, gelatinous covering or sheath around the cell wall of certain yeasts, e.g. Cryptococcus, and some ascospore s such as those of Sordaria fimicola. [56] catenate . Catenulate. Arranged in chains or end-to-end series.
The Mycobacteria (acid-fast bacteria) have a cell envelope which is not typical of Gram-positives or Gram-negatives. The mycobacterial cell envelope does not consist of the outer membrane characteristic of Gram-negatives, but has a significant peptidoglycan-arabinogalactan-mycolic acid wall structure which provides an external permeability barrier.
Cryptococcosis is a potentially fatal fungal infection of mainly the lungs, presenting as a pneumonia, and in the brain, where it appears as a meningitis. [4] [9] [12] Coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain and fever are seen when the lungs are infected. [5]