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Cryptococcosis is an emerging deadly systemic disease caused by Cryptococcus, which is basidiomycetous, encapsulated yeast that occurs as a saprobe in nature. Only two species are known to cause disease from the genus Cryptococcus: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. The source of infection is exogenous and the respiratory tract acts as the chief portal entry of fungus. The mode of disease getting from the contaminated environment is by inhalation of the infectious fungal agent. An array of clinical spectrum of disease is reported in humans. In immune-compromised persons, the disease has a significant morbidity and fatality rate. The direct demonstration and isolation of the pathogen in the clinical specimens still remains the gold standard of diagnosis. The fungus can be easily isolated from clinical samples of the patients on Pal sunflower seed medium. Several drugs, such as amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole have been used for the treatment of the disease. Currently, there is no formal preventative technique or vaccination for cryptococcosis. Therefore, an early diagnosis and prompt treatment should be given to the patient in order to prevent mortality, particularly in HIV-positive individuals.
