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Cryptococcus gattii

 

 
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Cryptococcus gattii
 
 
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Cryptococcus gattii, also known as Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii, is a yeast (fungus
Fungus

A fungus is a Eukaryote organism that is a member of the Kingdom Fungi . The fungi are a monophyletic group, also called the Eumycota , that is phylogeny distinct from the morphologically similar slime molds and water molds ....
) found in tropical and subtropical climates. If a human or animal breathes in spore
Spore

In biology, a spore is a reproduction structure that is adapted for biological dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions....
s or cell
Cell (biology)

The cell is the structural and functional unit of all known Life organisms. It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living, and is often called the building bricks of life....
s, it causes a lung infection called cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis

'Cryptococcosis' is a serious and potentially fatal fungal disease caused by members of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, comprising the two species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii with C....
 which can be fatal if it spreads to the central nervous system
Central nervous system

The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that functions to coordinate the activity of all parts of the bodies of multicellular organisms....
 and causes meningitis
Meningitis

Meningitis is a medical condition caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges....
. In recent years it has made an appearance in British Columbia
British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's Provinces and territories of Canada and is famed for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu ....
, Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
, and scientists are concerned this is linked to global warming
Global warming

Global warming is the increase in the Instrumental temperature record of the Earth's near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation....
. From 1999 through to early 2008, 216 people in British Columbia contracted the disease, resulting in eight fatalities.






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Cryptococcus gattii, also known as Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii, is a yeast (fungus
Fungus

A fungus is a Eukaryote organism that is a member of the Kingdom Fungi . The fungi are a monophyletic group, also called the Eumycota , that is phylogeny distinct from the morphologically similar slime molds and water molds ....
) found in tropical and subtropical climates. If a human or animal breathes in spore
Spore

In biology, a spore is a reproduction structure that is adapted for biological dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions....
s or cell
Cell (biology)

The cell is the structural and functional unit of all known Life organisms. It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living, and is often called the building bricks of life....
s, it causes a lung infection called cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis

'Cryptococcosis' is a serious and potentially fatal fungal disease caused by members of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, comprising the two species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii with C....
 which can be fatal if it spreads to the central nervous system
Central nervous system

The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that functions to coordinate the activity of all parts of the bodies of multicellular organisms....
 and causes meningitis
Meningitis

Meningitis is a medical condition caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges....
. In recent years it has made an appearance in British Columbia
British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's Provinces and territories of Canada and is famed for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu ....
, Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
, and scientists are concerned this is linked to global warming
Global warming

Global warming is the increase in the Instrumental temperature record of the Earth's near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation....
. From 1999 through to early 2008, 216 people in British Columbia contracted the disease, resulting in eight fatalities. The fungus also infects animals, such as dog
Dog

The dog is a domesticated subspecies of the Gray Wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties....
s and dolphin
Dolphin

File:Bottlenose_Dolphin_KSC04pd0178.jpgDolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genus....
s. In 2007, the fungus appeared for the first time in the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
, in Whatcom County, Washington
Whatcom County, Washington

Whatcom County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. Its name ultimately derives from a Nooksack language word meaning "noisy water." As of 2000, the population was 166,814....
.

Effects

Cryptococcal disease is a very rare fungal disease caused by the Cryptococcus fungus that can affect the lungs (pneumonia
Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an Inflammation illness of the lung. Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolus inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid ....
) and nervous system (meningitis
Meningitis

Meningitis is a medical condition caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges....
) in humans.

Transmission

The infection is caused by breathing in the spores of the Cryptococcus fungus. It is not transmitted from person to person or from animal to person. A person with cryptococcal disease is not contagious.

Symptoms

Most people will be exposed to the fungus sometime during their life but most will not get sick. In people who become ill, symptoms appear many months after exposure. Symptoms of cryptococcal disease include:

  • Prolonged cough (lasting weeks or months)
  • Sharp chest pain
  • Unexplained shortness of breath
  • Severe headache
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Weight loss


Treatment

In almost all cases the disease can be treated successfully with antifungal medication. There is no vaccine to prevent cryptococcal disease.