click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Cryptococcosis.
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Is the disease viral, bacterial, fungal, worm or protozoan? | fungal |
What is the genus species name of the causative agent? | cryptococcus neoformans |
How is it transmitted? How does a person get the infection? | prevalent in urban areas where pigeons poop; particles scatter into air and soil; primary portal of entry is respiratory |
What are the general signs and symptoms of an infected person? What body systems/organs are involved? | pulmonary crypt: fever, cough, nodules in lungs; if spreads to brain and meninges, tumor-like masses form causing headache, mental changes, coma, paralysis, eye disturbance, and seizures; can spread to skin, bones are viscera |
Are there any toxins or factors that increase the virulence of the pathogen? | HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes patients, and patients on steroid treatments |
How is the agent commonly identified? How is confirmation of agent made? | neg staining to detect encapsulated budding yeast cells; neg nitrate assimilation, pigmentation on birdseed agar, fluorescent antibody tests; serological tests, DNA probes |
How does each bacterial pathogen stain for gram, endospore, capsule, acid fast? What shape does each bacteria have? | encapsulated |
Which viruses are DNA or RNA viruses? Which are enveloped or non-enveloped? | n/a |
Are there any special (classic) signs or symptoms that characterize the disease/infection? | No |
Is there a treatment or cure available? What are the most common antibiotics given? | amphotericin B and fluconazole for a period of weeks to months |
Is there a vaccine available? | No |
How can transmission be prevented? | Stay away from pigeons if you have AIDS |