Cryptococcosis: a diagnostic challenge.
Human cryptococcosis is an exogenous human infection of increasing frequency and growing importance. Early diagnosis is essential for the clinical outcome, no matter whether the infection is primary or secondary to underlying disease. Reliable and quick diagnostic methods are outlined and some pitfalls are discussed. Direct microscopy is essential, followed by cultivation procedures and serologic tests.
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004463:Ecology; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000666:Amphotericin B; D005437:Flucytosine