Cryptococcosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Cryptococcosis is infection with Cryptococcus neoformans fungus | Cryptococcosis is infection with [[Cryptococcus neoformans]] [[fungus]]. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Cryptococcosis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Cryptococcosis?== | ||
* Blurred vision or double vision (diplopia) | * Blurred vision or double vision ([[diplopia]]) | ||
* Bone pain or tenderness of the breastbone (sternum) | * [[Bone]] pain or [[tenderness]] of the breastbone ([[sternum]]) | ||
* Chest pain | * Chest pain | ||
* Confusion | * Confusion | ||
* | * Dry cough | ||
* Fatigue | * [[Fatigue]] | ||
* Fever | * [[Fever]] | ||
* Headache | * [[Headache]] | ||
* Nausea | * [[Nausea]] | ||
* Skin rash, including pinpoint red spots (petechiae), ulcers, or other skin lesions | * [[Skin]] rash, including pinpoint red spots ([[Petechia|petechiae]])[[Ulcers|, ulcers]], or other [[skin]] lesions | ||
* Sweating | * Sweating (unusual, excessive at night) | ||
* Swollen glands | * Swollen glands | ||
* Unintentional weight loss | * Unintentional weight loss | ||
Note: People with a normal immune system may have no symptoms at all. | Note: People with a normal [[immune system]] may have no [[symptoms]] at all. | ||
==What causes Cryptococcosis?== | |||
[[Cryptococcus neoformans]], the [[fungus]] that causes this disease, is ordinarily found in soil. It enters and infects the body through the [[lungs]]. Once inhaled, [[infection]] with cryptococcosis may go away on its own, remain in the [[lungs]] only, or spread throughout the body ([[Disseminated disease|disseminate]]). Most cases are in people with a weakened [[immune system]], such as those with [[HIV]] [[infection]], taking high doses of [[corticosteroid]] medications, [[cancer]] [[chemotherapy]], or who have [[Hodgkin's disease]]. In people with a normal [[immune system]], the [[lung]] ([[pulmonary]]) form of the [[infection]] may have no [[symptoms]]. In people with weakened [[immune systems]], the [[cryptococcus]] organism may spread to the [[brain]]. [[Neurological]] ([[brain]]) [[symptoms]] begin gradually. Most people with this [[infection]] have [[meningoencephalitis]] ([[swelling]] and [[irritation]] of the [[brain]] and [[spinal cord]]) when they are diagnosed. [[Cryptococcus]] is one of the most common life-threatening [[fungal]] [[Infection|infections]] in people with [[AIDS]]. | |||
==Who is at highest risk?== | |||
People who have weakened [[immune system]] are at highest risk for developing the [[disease]]. | |||
==Treatment options== | |||
Some [[Infection|infections]] require no treatment. Even so, there should be regular check-ups for a full year to make sure the [[infection]] has not spread. If there are [[lung]] lesions or the [[disease]] spreads, [[Antifungal drug|antifungal]] medications are prescribed. These drugs may need to be taken for a long time. Medications include: | |||
* [[Amphotericin B]] | |||
* [[Flucytosine]] | |||
* [[Fluconazole]] | |||
==Where to find medical care for Cryptococcosis?== | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Cryptococcosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptococcosis] | |||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | |||
[[Central nervous system]] involvement often causes death or leads to permanent damage. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | |||
Call your health care provider if you develop [[Symptom|symptoms]] of cryptococcosis, especially if you have a weakened [[immune system]]. | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Physical examination may reveal: | Physical examination may reveal: | ||
* Abnormal breath sounds | * Abnormal breath sounds | ||
* Fast heart rate | * Fast [[heart]] rate | ||
* Fever | * [[Fever]] | ||
* Mental status changes | * [[Mental status examination|Mental status]] changes | ||
* Stiff neck | * Stiff neck | ||
Tests that may be done include: | Tests that may be done include: | ||
* Blood culture | * [[Blood culture]] | ||
* CT scan of the head | * [[CT scan]] of the head | ||
* Sputum culture and stain | * [[Sputum]] [[Culture media|culture]] and [[Staining|stain]] | ||
* Lung biopsy | * [[Lung]] [[biopsy]] | ||
* Bronchoscopy | * [[Bronchoscopy]] | ||
* Spinal tap to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | * [[Spinal tap]] to obtain a sample of [[cerebrospinal fluid]] ([[CSF]]) | ||
* Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and other tests to check for signs of infection | * [[Cerebrospinal fluid]] ([[CSF]]) [[Culture media|culture]] and other tests to check for signs of [[infection]] | ||
* Chest x-ray | * [[Chest X-ray|Chest x-ray]] | ||
* Cryptococcal antigen test (looks for a certain molecule that the Cryptococcus fungus can shed into the blood) | * Cryptococcal [[antigen]] test (looks for a certain molecule that the [[Cryptococcus]] [[fungus]] can shed into the [[blood]]) | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Infection comes back | * [[Infection]] comes back | ||
* Meningitis | * [[Meningitis]] | ||
* Permanent brain or nerve damage | * Permanent [[brain]] or [[nerve]] damage | ||
* Side effects of medications (such as Amphotericin B) can be severe | * Side effects of [[medications]] (such as [[Amphotericin B]]) can be severe | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Take the lowest doses of corticosteroid medications possible. Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV and the infections associated with a weakened immune system. | Take the lowest doses of [[corticosteroid]] medications possible. Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of getting [[HIV]] and the [[Infection|infections]] associated with a weakened [[immune system]]. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Cryptococcosis?== | ==Where to find medical care for Cryptococcosis?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Cryptococcosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptococcosis] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Cryptococcosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptococcosis] | ||
{{WS}}{{WH}} | |||
[[Category:Dermatology]] | |||
[[Category:Dermatology patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Overview complete]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Template complete]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | |||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | |||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | |||
[[Category:Neurology]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:10, 29 July 2020
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Cryptococcosis |
|
Cryptococcosis On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Cryptococcosis is infection with Cryptococcus neoformans fungus.
What are the symptoms of Cryptococcosis?
- Blurred vision or double vision (diplopia)
- Bone pain or tenderness of the breastbone (sternum)
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Skin rash, including pinpoint red spots (petechiae), ulcers, or other skin lesions
- Sweating (unusual, excessive at night)
- Swollen glands
- Unintentional weight loss
Note: People with a normal immune system may have no symptoms at all.
What causes Cryptococcosis?
Cryptococcus neoformans, the fungus that causes this disease, is ordinarily found in soil. It enters and infects the body through the lungs. Once inhaled, infection with cryptococcosis may go away on its own, remain in the lungs only, or spread throughout the body (disseminate). Most cases are in people with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV infection, taking high doses of corticosteroid medications, cancer chemotherapy, or who have Hodgkin's disease. In people with a normal immune system, the lung (pulmonary) form of the infection may have no symptoms. In people with weakened immune systems, the cryptococcus organism may spread to the brain. Neurological (brain) symptoms begin gradually. Most people with this infection have meningoencephalitis (swelling and irritation of the brain and spinal cord) when they are diagnosed. Cryptococcus is one of the most common life-threatening fungal infections in people with AIDS.
Who is at highest risk?
People who have weakened immune system are at highest risk for developing the disease.
Treatment options
Some infections require no treatment. Even so, there should be regular check-ups for a full year to make sure the infection has not spread. If there are lung lesions or the disease spreads, antifungal medications are prescribed. These drugs may need to be taken for a long time. Medications include:
Where to find medical care for Cryptococcosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptococcosis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Central nervous system involvement often causes death or leads to permanent damage.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of cryptococcosis, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
Diagnosis
Physical examination may reveal:
- Abnormal breath sounds
- Fast heart rate
- Fever
- Mental status changes
- Stiff neck
Tests that may be done include:
- Blood culture
- CT scan of the head
- Sputum culture and stain
- Lung biopsy
- Bronchoscopy
- Spinal tap to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and other tests to check for signs of infection
- Chest x-ray
- Cryptococcal antigen test (looks for a certain molecule that the Cryptococcus fungus can shed into the blood)
Possible complications
- Infection comes back
- Meningitis
- Permanent brain or nerve damage
- Side effects of medications (such as Amphotericin B) can be severe
Prevention
Take the lowest doses of corticosteroid medications possible. Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV and the infections associated with a weakened immune system.
Where to find medical care for Cryptococcosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptococcosis Template:WSTemplate:WH