Filobasidiella neoformans . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract

Abstract A description is provided for Filobasidiella neoformans . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Bird droppings, particularly pigeon droppings, and soil contaminated with droppings are the best known source of F. neoformans in the environment. In addition to man, naturally-acquired infections have been recorded in the baboon, buffalo, cat, cattle, cheetah, civet, dog, fennec, ferret, fox, goat, guineapig, horse, koala, mink, monkeys, mouse, ox, peccary, pig, hare and sheep (causing mycoses). Experimental infection can be regularly produced in laboratory animals, mice being the animals of choice for most experimental work. DISEASE: Cryptococcosis (torulosis, European blastomycosis, Busse-Buschke's disease). This is a subacute or chronic pulmonary disease with a marked tendency to spread to the brain and sometimes other organs. The pulmonary form is usually transitory, mild and unrecognized. Cutaneous, skeletal and visceral lesions may occur during dissemination of the disease. Involvement of the central nervous system with meningoencephalitis is both the most common localization and the most common cause of death from the disease. Cryptococcosis of the central nervous system is invariably fatal unless treated. The symptoms of central nervous system Cryptococcosis are headache, nausea, dizziness, impaired memory, irritability, lethargy, ataxia and sometimes nuchal rigidity. Fever is low grade or absent. If the cranial nerves are involved, the patient may experience facial numbness or weakness or diplopia. The duration of the disease varies from a few weeks to 15 or 20 years. In cattle, cryptococcal mastitis is a not uncommon disease. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide.