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Case 530 - Discussion

Uploaded: 2011-10-08, Updated: 2011-10-08

 

 

  

GMS

 Mucincarmine

 

PAS

  

 

  

This patient also had similar organism in CSF.

 

Cryptococcus Neoformans
  • Transmitted through pigeon, chicken or turkey droppings
  • Enters through pulmonary system
  • Most common fungal infection in CNS
  • Morphology:
    • Great variability in size and shape, 2 – 20 um
    • Daughter cells attached by narrow thread
    • No significant inflammatory reaction in tissue
    • Mucinous background
    • Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of skin or squamous mucosa
  • Detection:
    • Polysaccharide capsule
    • India ink – negative staining method
    • Cryptococcal antigen test, galactoxylomannan, CSF and blood
    • Culture: grows well on all agars, mucoid colonies
  • Mucicarmine +, urease +, inositol +