Cryptococcus gattii in a Temperate Region

C. gattii has become established in British Columbia, Canada; infection usually originates in the lungs but can spread elsewhere — notably, to the CNS.

Cryptococcus gattii, a fungus previously reported only in tropical and subtropical regions, has caused human and animal infections in British Columbia since 1999. The fungus colonizes trees and soil and may contaminate water; humans become infected by inhalation.

Now, investigators in Canada have retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical features of 218 cases of C. gattii infection that were diagnosed from 1999 through 2007 and reported to the BC Centre for Disease Control. Of these cases, 124 were confirmed (culture positive), and 94 were probable (suggested by antigen detection, histopathology, or microscopy). The annual number of cases increased from 6 in 1999 to 28 in 2006. The average annual incidence was highest (25.1/milli…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Cryptococcus gattii in a Temperate Region

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Reviewing Author