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Ten Challenges on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis

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Abstract

Cryptococcosis has become a significant public global health problem worldwide. Caused by two species, Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii, this life-threatening infection afflicts not only immunocompromised individuals but also apparently immunocompetent subjects. Hence, cryptococcosis should no longer be considered merely an opportunistic infection. In this article, we focus on ten unanswered questions/topics in this field with the hope to stimulate discussion and research on these topics that would lead not only to a better understanding of the physiopathology of this disease but also to a better diagnosis and prognosis.

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Acknowledgments

MDP is supported by National Institute of Health (NIH) awards AI056168, AI071142, AI078493, and AI087541. AC is supported by NIH awards HL059842, AI033774, AI033142, and AI052733. Maurizio Del Poeta is a Burroughs Welcome New Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 512A, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Maurizio Del Poeta

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Maurizio Del Poeta

  3. Craniofacial Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Maurizio Del Poeta

  4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Maurizio Del Poeta

  5. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Forchheimer Building, Room 411, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Arturo Casadevall

  6. Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Forchheimer Building, Room 411, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Arturo Casadevall

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  1. Maurizio Del Poeta
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Correspondence to Maurizio Del Poeta or Arturo Casadevall.

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Del Poeta, M., Casadevall, A. Ten Challenges on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis. Mycopathologia 173, 303–310 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-011-9473-z

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