Cryptococcus gattii infection, sometimes simply referred to as cryptococcus, is a fungal infection. This infection is named after the cryptococcus gattii fungus that causes the infection and can lead to serious health problems. Cryptococcus gattii infection is dangerous because it can affect many different parts of the body, including the brain, lungs, and heart.
Cryptococcus gattii is a fungus that lives in the soil, water, and on trees in subtropical parts of the world. Inhaling this fungus is currently the number one cause of meningitis, an infection of the brain, for adults living in South Africa. For that reason, it’s vital to be aware of cryptococcus gattii and the dangers it represents, as some cases can develop into serious infections and turn fatal.
Cryptococcus gattii infection can cause a number of different symptoms depending on the part of the body it infects. For instance, an infection of the lungs will present differently than an infection that spreads to the brain or spinal cord.
If cryptococcus gattii infection spreads to the lungs, here are some of the symptoms you’ll experience.
If cryptococcus gattii spreads to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), here are some of the symptoms you’ll experience.
It’s also possible for an infection to start in the lungs and then spread to the brain, resulting in both sets of symptoms. Regardless of where cryptococcus gattii is infecting you, you should seek immediate medical attention if you suspect an infection. Failing to have cryptococcus gattii diagnosed and treated could lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious complications.
Cryptococcus gattii infection is caused by the cryptococcus gattii fungus. This nasty little fungus lives primarily in soil and trees throughout South Africa and other subtropical and tropical countries. People and animals get a cryptococcus gattii infection when they accidentally inhale spores from the fungus.
When you inhale these spores, they can travel to the lungs, brain, and other parts of the body and lead to an infection. It can take anywhere from 2 months to a year for you to display symptoms, even though the spores are living inside you the whole time. Luckily, cryptococcus gattii isn’t contagious, and the only way to get it is directly from the source.
Because the only way to get a cryptococcus gattii infection is by inhaling a fungus found in nature, your doctor will first ask about your whereabouts from the last year to determine if it’s a possibility. If it is and you’re manifesting symptoms of an infection, your doctor will proceed with the following tests.
Your doctor will likely perform a blood draw or take a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid or sputum. They will then send these samples to a lab for testing to determine if you have the antigen or culture consistent with cryptococcus gattii fungus.
X-rays, MRIs, and other imaging tests are useful for determining if you have lung, brain, or spinal cord damage consistent with a cryptococcus gattii infection.
Your doctor may also need to perform tests to distinguish between cryptococcus gattii and similar fungi.
If your doctor diagnoses you with a cryptococcus gattii infection, they will start treatment immediately. The best treatment and cure for cryptococcus gattii are antifungal medications. You’ll have to take these medications for between six months and a year to completely eradicate the fungus. Depending on how severe the infection is and where it’s located, you might also need corticosteroids and/or a lumbar puncture to drain fluid on the spinal cord. In severe situations, people can develop fungal growths that need to be removed with surgery.