Cryptococcus

A normal-sized, infectious cryptococcal cell (green) has been engulfed and will be killed by immune cells (gray). Titan cells (red) are much larger and more resistant to the immune system, causing meningitis.

Listen:

Recently, University of Minnesota microbiologist Kirsten Nielsen and her colleagues made a discovery about Cryptococcus and its associated infection.

Cryptococcus, a fungus commonly found in dirt and dust, has been flying under the radar for years. But recently, Cryptococcus and its associated infection became the leading cause of AIDS-related death worldwide, killing more than one million people each year, a statistic that has U of M researchers taking a renewed look at the dangers of the germ.

Over the course of history, healthy human bodies have generally become tolerant to Cryptococcus, but when our immune system is compromised, an opportunity arises for the germ to take hold and infect, leading to Cryptococcus meningitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that is often fatal.