Yeast infection that starts in lungs and can cause meningitis and other problems. Also see Torulopsis programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Cryptococcosis :Cryptococcosis- Busse-Buschke disease - Torulosis- European blastomycosis- Cryptococcus neoformans (encapsulated yeast)Encyclopedia Entry for Cryptococcosis :Cryptococcosis. C. neoformans and C. gattii are the fungi that cause this disease. Infection with C. neoformans is seen worldwide. Infection with C. gattii is mainly seen in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, British Columbia in Canada, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It is the more common fungus that causes the infection. Both types of fungi are found in soil. If you breathe the fungus in, it infects your lungs. The infection may go away on its own, remain in the lungs only, or spread throughout the body (disseminate). Cryptococcosis is most often seen in people with a weak immune system, such as those who: Are infected with HIV/AIDS Take high doses of corticosteroid medicines Cancer Are on chemotherapy medicines for cancer Have Hodgkin disease Have had an organ transplant C. gattii may affect people with normal immune system. C. neoformans is the most common life-threatening cause of fungal infection in people with HIV/AIDS. People between 20 to 40 years of age have this infection.The infection may spread to the brain in people who have a weakened immune system. Neurological (brain) symptoms start slowly. Most people have swelling and irritation of the brain and spinal cord when they are diagnosed. Symptoms of brain infection may include: Fever and headache Neck stiffness Nausea and vomiting Blurred vision or double vision Confusion The infection can also affect the lungs and other organs. Lung symptoms may include: Difficulty in breathing Cough Chest pain Other symptoms may include: Bone pain or tenderness of the breastbone Fatigue Skin rash , including pinpoint red spots ( petechiae ), ulcers, or other skin lesions Sweating -- unusual, excessive at night Swollen glands Unintentional weight loss People with a healthy immune system may have no symptoms at all.The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms and travel history. The physical exam may reveal: Abnormal breath sounds Fast heart rate Fever Mental status changes Stiff neck Tests that may be done include: Blood culture to differentiate between the two fungi CT scan of the head Sputum culture and stain Lung biopsy Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage 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 is shed from the cell wall of the Cryptococcus neoformans fungus into the bloodstream).Some infections require no treatment. Even so, there should be regular checkups for a full year to make sure the infection has not spread. If there are lung lesions or the disease spreads, your provider will prescribe you antifungal medicines. These medicines may need to be taken for a long time. Medicines include: Amphotericin B (can have severe side effects) Flucytosine Fluconazole.Central nervous system involvement often causes death or leads to permanent damage.Call your provider if you develop symptoms of cryptococcosis, especially if you have a weakened immune system.C. neoformans var. neoformans infection; C. neoformans var. gatti infection; C. neoformans var. grubii infection.Cryptococcus, cutaneous on the hand Cryptococcus, cutaneous on the hand Cryptococcosis on the forehead Cryptococcosis on the forehead.Chan PA. Cryptococcosis.Encyclopedia Entry for Cryptococcosis :Cryptococcosis. Source of disease: Cryptococcus neoformans