Epidemiologische trends in cryptokokkose : De Cryptococcus gattii-uitbraak in Canada
Hagen, F Boekhout, T
Hagen, F
Boekhout, T
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Article
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other
nl
nl
Date of publication
2006-06-01
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Title
Epidemiologische trends in cryptokokkose : De Cryptococcus gattii-uitbraak in Canada
Translated Title
Epidemiological trends in cryptococcosis - The Cryptococcus gattii outbreak in Canada
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Abstract
Cryptococcosis is, when untreated, a fatal disease, which in the Netherlands is mainly caused by the basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, and in more rare cases by Cryptococcus gattii. Infections with C. gattii occur almost only in immunocompetent individuals, while C. neoformans has a predilection for immunodeficient humans. Another major epidemiological difference between both species is the restriction of C. gattii to tropical and sub-tropical regions, whereas C. neoformans can be found worldwide. However, the distribution pattern of C. gattii has dramatically changed by an ongoing outbreak in the temperate climate of Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada). Epidemiological research revealed that the outbreak is caused by the rare AFLP genotype 6 (= VGII) of C. gattii. Only a few strains of this genotype were known before this outbreak. Since the past decade, however, strains of this genotype are isolated more frequently, especially in South America. In the Netherlands, the number of infections with C. neoformans in HIV/AIDS patients shows a decreasing trend, due to the introduction of the HAART therapy. However, clinicians and microbiologists should also be alert for infections caused by C. gattii in (immunocompetent) individuals who travelled recently to Vancouver Island and the main land of British Columbia (Canada).
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RIVM