1. CRYPTOCOCCUS @Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcal meningitis. Properties: @ C neoformans is an oval, budding yeast surrounded by a wide polysaccharide capsule. It is not dimorphic.

3. Transmission: @ It occurs widely in nature and found in soil containing pigeon droppings. @ Birds are not infected. @ Human infection results from inhalation of the organism. @ No human to human transmission.

5. Diseases: @ Lung infection is often asymptomatic or may produce pneumonia. @ Disease is common in AIDS patients, and the organism disseminates to C.N.S. (meningitis) and other organs.

7. Laboratory Diagnosis: @ In CSF mixed with India ink, the wide, unstained capsule is seen @ Culture of CSF and other specimens. @ Serologic tests can be done for both antibody and antigen. @ In CSF, capsular antigen is detected by latex particle agglutination test.

9. Treatment & Prevention @ Cryptococcal infection is treated by amphotericin B, flucytosine, or fluconazole @ No means of prevention.

11. ASPERGILLUS @ Aspergillus fumigatus. cause infections of skin, eyes, ears, and other organs. @ It causes "fungus ball" in lungs; and bronchial asthma Properties: @ Aspergillus exist only as molds; it is not dimorphic. @ Has septate hyphae & conidia with radiating chains

13. Transmission: @ Widely distributed in nature, & live on decaying vegetation, producing chains of conidia. @ Transmission is by conidia shed in the air.

15. Diseases: @ Asp. fumigatus invades lungs causing hemoptysis, granulomata, and asthma @ It invades pulmonary cavities & causes aspergilloma ("fungus ball"), @ Aspergillus flavus contaminates cereals & nuts to produce aflatoxin that causes liver toxicicity and cancer.

17. Laboratory Diagnosis: @ Biopsy show septate, branching hyphae @ Cultures show colonies with radiating chains of conidia. @ High levels of IgE are detected in patients with Aspergillus asthma. @ IgG precipitins antibodies are detected by serology.

19. Treatment & Prevention: @ For aspergillosis give amphotericin B @ Fungus ball can be removed surgically. @ For aspergillosis asthma give steroids @ No specific means of prevention.

21. MUCOR & RHIZOPUS @ The disease zygomycosis is caused by the saprophytic molds: Mucor and Rhizopus. @ They are not dimorphic. @ Transmitted from the environment by asexual spores from the air @ Causes infarction & necrosis nasal sinuses, lungs, eyes, and gut.

23. Lab. diagnosis: @ Culture: shows colonies with spores inside sporangium. @ Biopsy: to detect hyphae with irregular walls and branches. Treatment: @ Give amphotercin B and remove necrotic tissue surgically.