Cryptococcus neoformans, the fungus that causes this disease is commonly found in soil. It penetrates and infects the body through the lungs. Once inhaled, infection with cryptococcosis may disappear by itself, is only in the lungs, or spread in the body (disseminate).

Most cases occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as those infected with HIV, who take high doses of corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or who have Hodgkin’s disease.

In people with normal immune systems, lungs (pulmonary embolism) in the form of inflammation may have no symptoms. People with weakened immune systems, Cryptococcus organism can spread to the brain.

Neurological (brain) symptoms begin gradually. Most people with this infection is a meningoencephalitis (swelling and irritation of the brain and spinal cord) when they are diagnosed.

Cryptococcus is one of the most common fungal infections that threaten the life of people with AIDS.

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