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Related Experiment Videos

Phenotypic switching in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Bettina C Fries1, David L Goldman, Arturo Casadevall

  • 1Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Golding 702, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. fries@aecom.yu.edu

Microbes and Infection
|November 22, 2002
PubMed
Summary
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Cryptococcus neoformans exhibits reversible phenotypic switching, leading to increased virulence and altered host immune responses during infection. This programmed change impacts cryptococcosis pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pathogenesis
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans strains display significant phenotypic variability.
  • Phenotypic changes in C. neoformans can occur spontaneously or during infection and are linked to virulence.
  • Phenotype variability can result from phenotypic switching, a reversible, non-mutational process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate phenotypic switching in Cryptococcus neoformans.
  • To determine the association between phenotypic switching and virulence.
  • To explore the impact of phenotypic switching on host immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo studies of Cryptococcus neoformans strains.
  • Observation of colony morphology changes (smooth to mucoid).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of virulence and host immune response alterations.

    • Main Results:

    • Phenotypic switching from smooth to mucoid colonies was observed in vitro and during chronic mouse infection.
    • The switch to a mucoid phenotype correlated with increased virulence.
    • This phenotypic switch also induced changes in the host immune response.

    Conclusions:

    • Phenotypic switching is a programmed, reversible mechanism in C. neoformans.
    • Phenotypic switching significantly influences the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis.
    • Understanding these programmed changes is crucial for managing C. neoformans infections.