Cryptococcus Neoformans Infection impacts the central nervous system and can also cause lung issues in patients. This fungal infection is caused by contact with pigeon droppings or unwashed raw fruit. Infected individuals can also spread the condition to one another. Those with a lowered immunity will often suffer more significant symptoms related to contracting this fungal infection than otherwise healthy people who fall ill.
In most cases, this illness causes patients to suffer lung-related symptoms first. The infection usually spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the brain, urinary tract, skin, or bones. The symptoms will change and grow more severe as the infection spreads to new organs and body systems.
The early symptoms of this condition are:
When the brain has become involved in the infection process, the symptoms might change, or these new symptoms might join those in the list above:
If other organs are involved in the progression of the illness, heart and kidney symptoms might also be experienced, as well as a general feeling of weakness and instability when moving around.
This fungal infection is most commonly caused by breathing in spores of the fungus that are contained in pigeon dropping. The fungus might also be present on unwashed, raw fruit. Those who have contracted Cryptococcus Neoformans Infection can also pass the infection to others by coughing.
The risk factors for contracting this fungal infection are:
This fungal infection can be diagnosed using a variety of diagnostic tools. A direct microscopic examination of sputum from the lungs or body fluids can usually reveal that there is a Cryptococcus Neoformans infection present in the body. Tissue samples and biopsies might also be taken to look for the fungus responsible for this illness. Cultures can be taken as well to attempt to grow the fungus in a lab and then verify its identity before beginning treatment of the patient. There are also tests that can be done to look for cryptococcal polysaccharide antigens in the body fluids, which will confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of this fungal infection can take as long as 6 months to a year to be complete. The severity of the infection and the number of body systems that are affected will help guide the treatment of the condition. People who are not displaying symptoms but have been diagnosed as being infected will typically be given fluconazole for a set period of time. For those with more severe symptoms, particularly those with brain and central nervous system involvement, treatment will usually be done with a combination of medications.
Patients with severe symptoms will typically be given amphotericin B and flucytosine in the early stages of their treatment. They will then be given fluconazole to take for an extended period of time to help fully clear the infection. Pregnant women and children might be given lower doses of these medications during their treatment than other patients. In severe cases, surgical intervention might be necessary to remove fungal growths which cannot be successfully treated with oral or IV medications.
Prevention of this condition requires wearing a mask and washing your hands regularly when you are around pigeons and their droppings on a regular basis. You will also need to wash all fresh fruit that you bring into the home before you consume it. If you are exposed to someone who has a Cryptococcus Neoformans infection in the home or in the family, wearing a mask and washing your hands before eating or touching your face is necessary.