title: Molecules at the interface of Cryptococcus and the host that determine disease susceptibility.
abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, the predominant etiological agents of cryptococcosis, are fungal pathogens that cause disease ranging from a mild pneumonia to life-threatening infections of the central nervous system (CNS). Resolution or exacerbation of Cryptococcus infection is determined following complex interactions of several host and pathogen derived factors. Alternatively, interactions between the host and pathogen may end in an impasse resulting in the establishment of a sub-clinical Cryptococcus infection. The current review addresses the delicate interaction between the host and Cryptococcus-derived molecules that determine resistance or susceptibility to infection. An emphasis will be placed on data highlighted at the recent 9th International Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis (ICCC).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wozniak
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
authors.forename: Michal A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Olszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States. Electronic address: floyd.wormley@utsa.edu.
authors.forename: Floyd L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wormley
mesh_terms: D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions
keywords: Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus gattii; Cryptococcus neoformans; Fungal pathogenesis; Host–fungal interactions; Medical mycology