Host immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans.
Cryptococcosis is caused by the fungal genus Cryptococcus. Cryptococcosis, predominantly meningoencephalitis, emerged with the HIV pandemic, primarily afflicting HIV-infected patients with profound T-cell deficiency. Where in use, combination antiretroviral therapy has markedly reduced the incidence of and risk for disease, but cryptococcosis continues to afflict those without access to therapy, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. However, cryptococcosis also occurs in solid organ transplant recipients and patients with other immunodeficiencies as well as those with no known immunodeficiency. This article reviews innate and adaptive immune responses to C. neoformans, with an emphasis on recent studies on the role of B cells, natural IgM and Fc gamma receptor polymorphisms in resistance to cryptococcosis.
['Rohatgi|Soma|S|', 'Pirofski|Liise-Anne|LA|']
D056704:Adaptive Immunity D003453:Cryptococcosis D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans D014943:Global Health D006801:Humans D007113:Immunity, Innate D016867:Immunocompromised Host D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes D066027:Transplant Recipients
Cryptococcus neoformans cryptococcosis B cells polymorphism Fc receptors T cells acquired immunity antibodies host response innate immunity macrophages