Cryptococcus gattii Deadly Fungus Spreads Killing-United States / Canada

Dangerous Fungus Among Us

Cryptococcus gattii

         C. gattii is an encapsulated, opportunistic yeast that affects immune-compromised and immune-competent patients. The yeast is a free living organism that is mainly associated with detritus from trees, such as the eucalyptus and almond found primarily in tropical and subtropical climates.  It is a filamentous fungus that belongs to the class tremellomycetes.

      The C. gattii fungus effects HIV-unaffected and sometimes the immune-competent patients nearly 99 percent of the time. As of 2010 a new strain of deadly hyper-virulent C. gattii fungus has been discovered in parts of the United States. Out of the 21 known cases the C. gattii outbreak has already claimed the lives of six people in Oregon. Scientists suggest that the fungus will creep into northern California, and so on. The first known strain of C. gattii found in North America was detected in British Columbia, Canada, in 1999.

        In conclusion, what makes C. gattii so unique is its ecology and biology.  Although non-transmittable from mammal to mammal, C. gattii is still making its way into the United States in a newer and deadlier shape. The new C. gattii strain maybe deadly because there are no current vaccines or medications, but physicians have taken some proper steps in preventing this new disease.