The status of cryptococcosis in Latin America
- Firacative, Carolina
- Lizarazo, Jairo
- Illnait Zaragozí, María Teresa
- Castañeda, Maria Elizabeth
- Arechavala, Alicia
- Córdoba, Susana Beatríz
- Mazza, Mariana
- Taverna, Constanza Giselle
- Isla, Guillermina
- Chiapello, Laura Silvina
- Vergara, Mario León Silva
- Melhem, Marcia S. C.
- Szeszs, Maria Walderez
- Martins, Marilena dos Anjos
- Bonfietti, Lucas Xavier
- Oliveira, Rogério Antonio de
- Oliveira, Lidiane de
- Santos, Dayane Christine Silva
- Lazera, Marcia S.
- Wanke, Bodo
- Díaz, María Cristina
- Escandón, Patricia
- Noguera, María Clara
- Andreu, Carlos Manuel Fernández
- CastrilLón, Laura
- Bustamante, Beatriz
- Dolande, Maribel
- Ferrara, Giussepe
DOIAbstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal infection caused by the encapsulated yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii, acquired from the environment. In Latin America, as occurring worldwide, C. neoformans causes more than 90% of the cases of cryptococcosis, affecting predominantly patients with HIV, while C. gattii generally affects otherwise healthy individuals. In this region, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common presentation, with amphotericin B and fluconazole being the antifungal drugs of choice. Avian droppings are the predominant environmental reservoir of C. neoformans, while C. gattii is associated with several arboreal species. Importantly, C. gattii has a high prevalence in Latin America and has been proposed to be...