Central Nervous System Cryptococcosis due to in the Tropics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cryptococcosis of the central nervous system due to species complex is a serious mycosis with worldwide distribution but of great importance in the tropics. This article aims to review the progress made in these regions in the knowledge of this disease and its etiological agent.

RECENT FINDINGS

They can be summarized in the presence in apparently immunocompetent patients of autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which is a hidden risk factor for acquiring infection; this finding strengthens the concept that is an opportunistic pathogen. A greater knowledge of the clinical and molecular epidemiology of infection and of the different environmental niches of this fungus in the tropics. The discovery of a new lineage of , VGV, in environmental samples from Africa. Until now, the COVID-19 pandemic has not meant an increase in cryptococcosis cases.

SUMMARY

Advances have been made in the identification of risk factors for cryptococcosis due to as well as in the knowledge of its etiological agent and its relationship with the environment. Remarkably, there have been no significant achievements in diagnosis and treatment notwithstanding the documented importance.