Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

What makes Cryptococcus neoformans a pathogen?

K L Buchanan1, J W Murphy

  • 1University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA. kent-buchanan@ouhsc.edu

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 21, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Metrics of progress in the understanding and management of threats to Australian birds.

Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·2018
Same author

Influence of early-life nutritional stress on songbird memory formation.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2018
Same author

Design and implementation of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC): improving value in hernia care.

Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery·2016
Same author

Testosterone manipulation postcastration does not alter cloacal gland growth differences in male quail selected for divergent plasma corticosterone stress response.

Poultry science·2010
Same author

WAG-F8(m1Ycb) rats harboring a factor VIII gene mutation provide a new animal model for hemophilia A.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH·2010
Same author

Physiological, morphological and behavioural effects of selecting zebra finches for divergent levels of corticosterone.

The Journal of experimental biology·2007
Same journal

Detection of and Early Genomic Insights into Chikungunya Virus, Bolivia, 2025.

Emerging infectious diseases·2026
Same journal

Household Transmission of Enterovirus D68, Washington and Oregon, United States, 2022-2024.

Emerging infectious diseases·2026
Same journal

New World Ocular Dirofilariasis Caused by Dirofilaria repens Infection, United States.

Emerging infectious diseases·2026
Same journal

Angiostrongylus cantonensis Rat Lungworm Detected in Rats, Madagascar, 2022-2023.

Emerging infectious diseases·2026
Same journal

Human Pulmonary Dirofilariasis,
North Queensland, Australia, 2023<sup>1</sup>.

Emerging infectious diseases·2026
Same journal

Trends in Congenital Syphilis Cases by Maternal Country of Birth, Spain, 2016-2024.

Emerging infectious diseases·2026
See all related articles

Cryptococcus neoformans infections are rising due to weakened immune systems. Understanding its virulence factors, like the capsule and secreted enzymes, is key to fighting this fungal pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Life-threatening fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans are increasing.
  • This rise is linked to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic and increased immunosuppressive drug use.
  • Understanding the complex interactions between the host and this fungal pathogen is crucial for comprehending its pathogenicity and virulence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the essential characteristics and virulence factors of Cryptococcus neoformans required for host entry and disease progression.
  • To synthesize current knowledge on the factors contributing to the pathogenicity of this encapsulated fungal pathogen.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on Cryptococcus neoformans.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Discussion of identified virulence factors and their roles in infection.

    • Main Results:

    • Cryptococcus neoformans requires specific growth requirements and possesses multiple virulence factors.
    • Key factors include the polysaccharide capsule, secreted products, melanin production, mannitol secretion, superoxide dismutase, proteases, and phospholipases.
    • These factors contribute to the organism's ability to invade the host and cause progressive disease.

    Conclusions:

    • The pathogenicity and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans are multifactorial, involving a combination of growth requirements and specific virulence factors.
    • Further research into these factors is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies against Cryptococcus neoformans infections.