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Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
07:32

Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Published on: March 19, 2015

Expanding fungal pathogenesis: Cryptococcus breaks out of the opportunistic box

James W Kronstad1, Rodgoun Attarian, Brigitte Cadieux

  • 1The Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada. kronstad@interchange.ubc.ca

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|February 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cryptococcus fungi adapt to mammals through sophisticated host interactions and unique adaptations like giant cell formation. This challenges their view as solely opportunistic pathogens, as they can infect healthy individuals too.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathogen Adaptation

Background:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, especially those with HIV.
  • Recent findings suggest a broader pathogenic potential, with Cryptococcus gattii emerging as a primary pathogen in immunocompetent hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the adaptations of Cryptococcus pathogens to the mammalian environment.
  • To challenge the traditional view of Cryptococcus as exclusively opportunistic.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Cryptococcus pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions.
  • Analysis of morphological and genomic adaptations.

Main Results:

  • Cryptococcal pathogens exhibit sophisticated interactions with phagocytic cells for intracellular survival, dissemination to the central nervous system, and immune evasion.
  • Surprising adaptations include the formation of polyploid giant cells in the lung.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptococcus species display significant adaptations for mammalian infection, extending beyond opportunistic behavior.
  • These adaptations contribute to their ability to cause disease in both compromised and immunocompetent individuals.

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