Cryptococcus Antigen Test in Mumbai

Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii. C. neoformans has been isolated from several sites in nature, particularly feathered pigeon droppings. C.gatti was previously associated with tropical and subtropical regions; however, more recently this organism has also been found to be endemic in British Columbia and among the Pacific Northwest United States, and is associated with several different trees species. Infection is usually acquired via the pulmonary route. Patients are often unaware of any exposure history. Approximately half of the patients with symptomatic disease have a predisposing immunosuppressive condition such as AIDS, steroid therapy, lymphoma, or sarcoidosis. Symptoms may include fever, headache, dizziness, ataxia, somnolence, and cough. While the majority of C. neoformans infections occur in immunocompromised patient populations, C.gattii is has a higher predilection for infection of healthy hosts.