Comparative Analysis of Capsule Expression in Cryptococcus neoformans: India Ink Visualization from Clinical CSF Samples versus SDA Agar Cultures

Cryptococcus neoformans capsules in India Ink Preparation of Culture of organisms

Introduction of India Ink preparation Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that causes cryptococcal meningitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The capsule is a critical virulence factor, and its visualization is essential for diagnosis. This preparation is a common method used to visualize the capsule. Here, …

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Candida parapsilosis: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Candida parapsilosis: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Introduction Candida parapsilosis is a species of yeast or fungus that is commonly found in the environment and can also be a commensal organism in the human body. It is a member of the Candida genus, which includes several species of yeast that can cause …

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Microsporum ferrugineum: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Microsporum ferrugineum in LPCB taese mount of culture microscopy showing typical bamboo hyphae and lacking production of both microconidia and macroconidia

Introduction Microsporum ferrugineum is a species of dermatophytic fungus that belongs to the genus Microsporum. Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that are capable of infecting and colonizing the outer layers of the skin, hair, and nails, causing various dermatophytosis or “ringworm” infections in humans …

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Epidermophyton floccosum: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Introduction Epidermophyton floccosum is a dermatophyte fungus belonging to the group of fungi responsible for causing superficial fungal infections in humans and animals. Dermatophytes are known for their ability to infect the skin, hair, and nails, causing conditions collectively referred to as dermatophytosis or ringworm …

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Sporothrix schenckii: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Sporothrix schenckii colony morphology on SDA

Introduction Sporothrix schenckii is a dimorphic fungus and the causative agent of the infection known as sporotrichosis or “rose gardener’s disease.” It is a relatively common fungal pathogen found worldwide, and it primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues, although it can occasionally spread to …

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Trichophyton mentagrophytes: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Colony morphology of Trichophyton mentagrophytes on dermatophyte test medium (DTM) plate and tube

Introduction Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a dermatophyte fungus belonging to the genus Trichophyton, which is known for causing various skin infections in humans and animals. It is an anthropophilic fungus, meaning it primarily infects humans, but it can also infect animals like rodents and domesticated pets. …

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Penicillium marneffei: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Conidia, conidiophore, phialide,and metullae of Penicillium marneffei in LPCB tease mount of culture microscopy at a magnification of 400X

Introduction Penicillium marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus and a significant human pathogen, causing a rare but severe disease called penicilliosis marneffei. It is classified under the phylum Ascomycota and the family Talaromycetaceae. The fungus was first discovered and described by a French physician, Captain …

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Cryptococcus neoformans: Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Abundant Yeast cells with occasional hyphae of Cryptococcus neoformans in India ink preparation of culture microscopy

Introduction Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic fungus and one of the leading causes of fungal infections in humans. It belongs to the genus Cryptococcus, which includes several species, but C. neoformans is the most clinically significant one. This fungus primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, such as …

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