Cryptococcosis News and Research

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The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans typically lives in soil but is also found in pigeon droppings. Generally the disease is acquired by inhaling contaminated dust although a large number of patients with immunosuppression develop disseminated cryptococcosis.

New guideline aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis

A group of international mycology experts led by Professor Dr Oliver A. Cornely at the University of Cologne has jointly drafted a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis, which aims at improving infection management and thus the survival rate of patients.

13 Feb 2024

NIH researchers gain new insights on rare immune deficiency

In an 11-year study, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have further characterized idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia (ICL), a rare immune deficiency that leaves people vulnerable to infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancers.

4 May 2023

False positive monkeypox tests in low-risk patients with no exposures

Researchers reported three monkeypox diagnoses presenting atypical rashes.

13 Sep 2022

RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) Approved by European Commission as an Oral Treatment for Adults with Active Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

With this approval, RINVOQ® is the first and only Janus Kinase inhibitor approved to treat patients across the spectrum of axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis) in the EU.

From AbbVie 29 Jul 2022

CHMP recommends approval of upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

AbbVie today announced the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended the approval of upadacitinib (RINVOQ® 15 mg, once daily) for the treatment of active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‑axSpA) in adult patients with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who have responded inadequately to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).*

27 Jun 2022

Innovative cancer treatment effective in combating fungal infection in vitro and in mice

An innovative cell-based treatment for cancer has been found promising for the control of infections caused by fungi.

4 Mar 2021

Researchers discover unique mechanism that drives spread of deadly infection

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have discovered a unique mechanism that drives the spread of a deadly infection.

26 Apr 2018

New study examines origin of cryptococcosis within the central nervous system

A particular fungal infection is responsible for more than 220,000 cases of cryptococcosis worldwide each year in people with HIV and AIDS, with nearly 181,000 of those resulting in death.

8 Mar 2018

Researchers discover way to stop deadly fungus from spreading to the brain

Research led by the University of Birmingham has discovered a way to stop a deadly fungus from 'hijacking' the body's immune system and spreading to the brain.

16 Aug 2017

Common angina drug can stimulate patient's own white blood cells to combat cryptococcosis

A drug, more commonly used in the treatment of angina, could be the focus of a new strategy in fighting the fatal fungal infection cryptococcosis

8 Jun 2016

Cryptococcus research: an interview with Associate Professor Kirsten Nielsen

Cryptococcus is a fungus found in the environment throughout the world that is able to cause disease in humans. While most fungal pathogens don’t receive as much press as their bacterial or viral counterparts, they can be just as deadly.

1 Jun 2016

Specialised white blood cell in birds can destroy fatal fungal infection

Scientists have discovered that a specialised white blood cell found in birds can destroy a potentially fatal fungal infection which affects more than one million people every year.

18 Feb 2016

Drug used for treating breast cancer also kills fungal disease

Tamoxifen, a drug currently used to treat breast cancer, also kills a fungus that causes a deadly brain infection in immunocompromised patients. The findings, which could lead to new treatments for a disease that kills more HIV/AIDS patients than tuberculosis, appear in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM.)

11 Feb 2014

Newly discovered compound could be developed as antifungal drug to treat fungal infections

On a molecular level, you have more in common with shower curtain mold or the mushrooms on your pizza than you might think. Humans and fungi share similar proteins, a biological bond that makes curing fungal infections difficult and expensive.

7 Oct 2013

HIV-infected people who carry gene face greater risk of contracting cryptococcal disease

HIV-infected people who carry a gene for a specific protein face a 20-fold greater risk of contracting cryptococcal disease, according to a study published in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

27 Aug 2013

METH use can make person more susceptible to fungal lung infection

Methamphetamine use can make a person more susceptible to the lung infection cryptococcosis, according to a study published in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

30 Jul 2013

Metallothioneins play major role in virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans

Metallothioneins, proteins able to capture metal ions, play a major role in the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal pathogen which causes severe infections in immunodeficient and immunocompetent individuals (AIDS patients, transplant receivers, etc.)

5 Apr 2013

ZOLOFT holds promise against cryptococcal meningitis

New research conducted by biologists at Texas A&M University suggests that ZOLOFT, one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the world, also packs a potential preventative bonus - potent mechanisms capable of inhibiting deadly fungal infections.

26 Jul 2012

New rapid blood test for early diagnosis of cryptococcosis

Research conducted at University of Nevada, Reno and licensed through the University's Technology Transfer Office is featured in the technology transfer publication "Better World Report" for a remarkable second year in a row.

3 Dec 2011

IMMY, University of Nevada receive FDA clearance for CrAg Lateral Flow Assay

The Food and Drug Administration has cleared a new diagnostic test that will help save the lives of hundreds of thousands of AIDS patients stricken with cryptococcosis, a fungal meningitis.

25 Aug 2011