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Cryptococcus: from environmental saprophyte to global pathogen.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcosis is a globally distributed invasive fungal infection that is caused by species within the genus Cryptococcus which presents substantial therapeutic challenges. Although natural human-to-human transmission has never been observed, recent work has identified multiple virulence mechanisms that enable cryptococci to infect, disseminate within and ultimately kill their human host. In this Review, we describe these recent discoveries that illustrate the intricacy of host-pathogen interactions and reveal new details about the host immune responses that either help to protect against disease or increase host susceptibility. In addition, we discuss how this improved understanding of both the host and the pathogen informs potential new avenues for therapeutic development.

SUBMITTER: May RC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5019959 | biostudies-other | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Cryptococcus: from environmental saprophyte to global pathogen.

May Robin C RC Stone Neil R H NR Wiesner Darin L DL Bicanic Tihana T Nielsen Kirsten K

Nature reviews. Microbiology 20151221 2

Cryptococcosis is a globally distributed invasive fungal infection that is caused by species within the genus Cryptococcus which presents substantial therapeutic challenges. Although natural human-to-human transmission has never been observed, recent work has identified multiple virulence mechanisms that enable cryptococci to infect, disseminate within and ultimately kill their human host. In this Review, we describe these recent discoveries that illustrate the intricacy of host-pathogen interac ...[more]

PMID: 26685750

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