CRYPTOCOCCUS GATTI INFECTION
Crypto Gatti infection is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus Gatti.
- Cryptococcus Gatti is a fungus that lives in the environment and is mostly found in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world particularly Australia and Papua New Guinea, but which can also be found in some temperate region of the world such as British Columbia and some parts of the US.
- Crypto Gatti infection most commonly involves the lungs, the central nervous system, or both.
- In some cases, the fungus is associated with skin, bone, joint, lymph node, and soft tissue infection.
- Cryptococcus Gatti causes the human diseases of pulmonary cryptococcosis, basal meningitis, and cerebral cryptococcomas.
- The fungus also infects animals such as dogs and dolphins.
- Cryptococcus Gatti affects healthy people as well as people with a weakened immune system. Those with a weakened immune system may develop complications such as meningitis (the inflammation of the membrane protecting the brain and the spinal cord).
CAUSES
People can become infected with Cryptococcus Gatti after breathing in airborne, dried yeast cells or spore from the environment. It then travels through the airway and enters the lungs. After infecting the lungs, the fungus can travel through the bloodstream to infect other areas of the body, such as the central nervous system.
- Gatti lives in the environment usually near trees and in the soil around trees.
The condition is not contagious and can’t spread between people or between people and animals
Risk factors may include
- Weakened immune system as seen in people with HIV/AIDS, people undergoing cancer treatment, or using immune-suppressing medications.
- Have other lung conditions
- Smoke tobacco
- Are 50 years of age or older
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms may depend on the parts of the body affected
In the lungs, symptoms may include:
- Prolonged cough, lasting weeks or months
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Sputum production
In the brain, symptoms may include.
- Fever
- Neck pain
- Sensitivity to light
- A headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or changes in behavior
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Lethargy
Other symptoms may include:
- Night Sweats
- Weight loss
- Skin Lesions
- Eye irritation
- Blurred or double vision
- Muscle soreness
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will review your medical history, travel history, ask questions about your symptoms, carry out a physical examination and laboratory tests.
A sample of your tissue or body fluid (blood, sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid) will be sent to the lab to be examined under a microscope, tested with an antigen test, or cultured.
Imaging tests such as Chest X-ray or CT scan of your lungs and brain or other parts of your body will be carried out.
TREATMENT
Treatment option depends on the severity of your condition.
Prescribed anti-fungal medication is the best option for treatment. This may be taken for at least 6 months or often longer.
For people with mild-to-moderate pulmonary infection, fluconazole is the best treatment option
For people with severe lung infections or infections in the central nervous system, treatment is amphotericin B in combination with flucytosine.
Surgery may be required to resect infected lung or brain.