The pathology of human and murine pulmonary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii

Human infection by Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans is well characterised and usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. Less is known about infection by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, which usually produces disease in previously normal individuals. In two cases of human pulmonary infection by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, we observed a mixed inflammatory pattern, including granulomas associated with numerous T lymphocytes and a lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis with B lymphocytes and formation of follicles. We also established a murine model of pulmonary infection by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, which reproduced most of these features. This model is likely to prove useful in studies of the pathogenesis of this infection.