Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans: virulence factors and immunological mechanisms.
Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent of cryptococcosis and cryptococcal meningitis, which are serious pathological conditions affecting up to 10% of patients with AIDS. Mechanisms of pathogenicity of C. neoformans and the host defenses against this fungus are reviewed, incorporating recent data and perspectives.
Rodrigues
M L
ML
Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 2197-590, RJ Brazil.
Alviano
C S
CS
Travassos
L R
LR
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000382:microbiology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000382:microbiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014774:Virulence