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Microbiology Society logo Microbiology

Volume 166, Issue 9

Microbe Profile: species complex Free

This article is part of the Microbe Profiles collection.

Abstract

is a lethal fungus disguised in a polysaccharide coat. It can remain dormant in the host for decades prior to reactivation, causing systemic cryptococcosis in humans and other mammals. deploys a multitude of traits to adapt to and survive within the host, including immunosuppression, an ability to replicate intra- and extra-cellularly in phagocytes, changes in morphology and ploidy, a predilection to infect the CNS, and the capacity to utilize neurotransmitters and unique carbon sources available in the brain. These pathogenic strategies displayed by this fungus might have evolved through its interactions with microbial predators in the environment.

  • Received:
  • Accepted:
  • Published Online:
Keyword(s): capsule , fungal pathogen , latency and reactivation , melanin , morphogenesis and neurotropism
Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • National Institutes of Health (Award 1R01AI140719)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Xiaorong Lin
  • Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) (Award Fungal Kingdom: Threats & Opportunities)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Joseph Heitman
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Award AI112595-04)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Joseph Heitman
  • National Research Foundation, Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea (Award 2018R1A5A1025077)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Yong-Sun Bahn
  • National Research Foundation, Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea (Award 2016R1E1A1A01943365)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Yong-Sun Bahn
  • Strategic Initiative for Microbiomes in Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea (Award 918012-4)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Yong-Sun Bahn
  • Strategic Initiative for Microbiomes in Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea (Award 916006-2)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Yong-Sun Bahn
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Award AI50113-16)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Joseph Heitman
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Award AI39115-23)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Yong-Sun Bahn
© 2020 The Authors

Erratum

An erratum has been published for this content:
Erratum: Microbe Profile: species complex
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2020-09-21
2025-01-23
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