Research progress on C. gattii cryptococcosis

C. gattii cryptococcosis is a rare fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus gattii. Spores or desiccated yeast cells of C. gattii enter the host respiratory tract by inhalation. Pulmonary infection disseminates most commonly to the central nervous system (CNS) and causes meningitis or meningoencephalitis, which will be fatal if untreated. The treatment to C. gattii CNS infection requires aggressive management of elevated intracranial pressure along with standard antifungal therapy. Furthermore, a high dose of dexamethasone can restrain the inflammatory response and reduce intracranial pressure. In this paper the molecular epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of C. gattii cryptococcosis are reviewed.