title: What makes Cryptococcus gattii a pathogen?
abstract: Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection of humans and other animals, typically caused by the species Cryptococcus neoformans in patients with impaired immunity. However, there is growing recognition of the importance of the related species C. gattii in causing infections in apparently immunocompetent individuals. In particular, an ongoing outbreak of cryptococcal disease in the Pacific Northwest region, which started in 1999, has driven an intense research effort into this previously neglected pathogen. Here, we discuss some of the recent discoveries in this organism from the Pacific Northwest region and highlight areas for future investigation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bielska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK r.c.may@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Robin C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D056285:Cryptococcus gattii / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015205:Northwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: C. neoformans; Cryptococcus gattii; PNW; the Pacific Northwest outbreak