Cryptococcosis- Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

What is Cryptococcosis?

Cryptococcosis (cryp-to-coc-co-sis) is a long lasting, multi-organ disorder caused by a fungus called cryptococcus neoformans present in plants and animals. Affected organs such as lungs, liver, spleen, central nervous system, skin, joints, and lining of body cavity. Cryptococcosis is most commonly seen in weak immune system patients such as HIV positives and also cancer patients. If it is left ignored it can lead to permanent brain or nerve damage. It can be detected using skin and lung biopsy, CSF culture and stain.

Cryptococcosis is also known as torulosis, Buschke's disease, European blastomycosis, Busse-Buschke disease, torular meningitis, cryptococcic meningitis, cryptococcosis lung, or cryptococcosis skin. Cryptococcosis is most commonly seen in males than in females. The rate of disease in non-AIDS patients is 15-25% compared with >50% in AIDS patients.

Cryptococcosis is of three types: cutaneous c., pulmonary c., and cryptococcal meningitis.

Causes of Cryptococcosis

causative agent is Cryptococcus neoformans and C. bacillispora
infection was relatively rare until the AIDS epidemic began

What are the symptoms of Cryptococcosis?

Initial pulmonary infection is usually asymptomatic
headache
confusion
cough
an aching chest
swelling of abdomen,
blurred vision

CryptococcosisTreatment

For cryptococcosis patients with non-AIDS intravenous amphotericin B combined with oral flucytosine are prescribed, but these are less effective in patients having cryptococcosis with AIDS patients.
Another antifungal agent, oral fluconazole is very effective medicine for patients having cryptococcosis with AIDS.
In some rare cases, complete removal of the ventricles and further a CSF shunt to prevent intracranial pressure, may be required.

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