Cryptococcus neoformans: Difference between revisions
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Eukaryota (Kingdom); Fungi (Domain); Basidiomycota (Phylum); Tremellomycetes (Class); Tremellales (Order); Tremellaceae (Family); Cryptococcus (Genus) | Eukaryota (Kingdom); Fungi (Domain); Basidiomycota (Phylum); Tremellomycetes (Class); Tremellales (Order); Tremellaceae (Family); Cryptococcus (Genus) | ||
=== | ===Species=== | ||
''C. | ''C. neoformans v. neoformans'', ''C. neoformans v. grubii''. A third variety, ''C. neoformans v. gattii'', is now considered a distinct species, ''[[Cryptococcus gattii]]''. | ||
==Pathogenesis== | ==Pathogenesis== |
Revision as of 21:04, 22 July 2015
Classification
Higher order taxa
Eukaryota (Kingdom); Fungi (Domain); Basidiomycota (Phylum); Tremellomycetes (Class); Tremellales (Order); Tremellaceae (Family); Cryptococcus (Genus)
Species
C. neoformans v. neoformans, C. neoformans v. grubii. A third variety, C. neoformans v. gattii, is now considered a distinct species, Cryptococcus gattii.
Pathogenesis
Virulence factors
Diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin that prevents protein synthesis through inactivation of eEF2 (eukaryotic elongation factor 2). This is done by ADP-ribosylating the amino acid diphthamide, inhibiting RNA translation.
Mechanism
Adherence
Invasion of the cell
Encountering macrophages
Clinical features
Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after infection. Diphtheria is characterized by sore throat, slight fever, fatigue, and an adherent membrane (called a pseudomembrane) on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity. Diphtheria toxin produced by C. diphtheriae can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects. A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to the skin.