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Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Microglia are not protective against cryptococcal meningitis.

Sally H Mohamed¹, Man Shun Fu¹, Sofia Hain¹

¹Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Nature Communications

|November 8, 2023

Summary

Microglia depletion did not hinder fungal meningitis control. Instead, Cryptococcus neoformans survived within microglia, suggesting these cells may act as an early infection reservoir.

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Infectious Diseases
Mycology

Background:

Microglia are crucial for combating brain infections like bacteria and viruses.
Their role in fungal brain infections, such as cryptococcal meningitis, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of microglia in cryptococcal meningitis.
To understand how microglia influence the survival and behavior of Cryptococcus neoformans in the brain.

Main Methods:

Utilized transgenic and chemical methods for microglia depletion in a mouse model.
Infected mice with various strains of Cryptococcus neoformans.
Analyzed fungal burden, intracellular fungal residence, and metal ion availability (copper).

Main Results:

Microglia depletion did not impair control of Cryptococcus neoformans brain infection.
Early in infection, microglia depletion reduced fungal brain burden, linked to intracellular fungal presence.
Cryptococcus neoformans within microglia were protected from copper starvation, unlike extracellular fungi.

Conclusions:

Tissue-resident myeloid cells, like microglia, can influence fungal phenotype in the brain.
Microglia do not provide protection against Cryptococcus neoformans brain infection.
Microglia may serve as an early reservoir for fungal pathogens in the brain.