Cryptococcosis

[Julian]

Cryptococcosis is infection caused by fungus Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.

People may have no symptoms or may have headache and confusion, a cough and an achy chest, or a rash, depending on where the infection is.
The diagnosis is based on culture and examination of tissue and fluid samples.
Antifungal drugs are given by mouth or, if the infection is severe, intravenously.

(See also Overview of Fungal Infections.)
Cryptococcus neoformans occurs primarily in soil that is contaminated with bird droppings, particularly those of pigeons. Cryptococcus gattii usually is present in the soil around trees. Unlike Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii is not associated with birds.
Cryptococcus is present around the world, but infection was relatively rare until the AIDS epidemic began. Cryptococcosis is the most common potentially fatal fungal infection in people with AIDS.
The fungus tends to infect people who have a weakened immune system, including those with the following:

AIDS
Hodgkin lymphoma or another lymphoma
Sarcoidosis
Use of drugs that suppress the immune system, such as those used to prevent rejection of an organ transplant and, when taken for a long time, corticosteroids

However, cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii can also develop in people with a normal immune system.
Infection usually occurs when people inhale the spores of the fungus. Thus, cryptococcosis typically affects the lungs. It most commonly spreads to the brain and tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges), resulting in meningitis.
Cryptococcosis may also spread to the skin and other tissues, such as the bones, joints, liver, spleen, kidneys, and prostate. Except for skin infections, these infections usually cause few or no symptoms.

[Justin Bieber]

Infestation with a yeastlike fungus, resulting in tumors in the lungs and sometimes spreading to the brain.