Melanisation of Cryptococcus neoformans in human brain tissue

Lancet. 2000 Jun 10;355(9220):2049-50. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02356-4.

Abstract

Melanin-specific reagents revealed melanin in cryptococcal cell walls from human brain tissue, and fungal-cell melanin "ghosts" were recovered from infected tissue. The results indicate that Cryptococcus neoformans melanises during human infection.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / metabolism*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / enzymology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Melanins / biosynthesis*
  • Rodentia
  • Trifluoperazine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Melanins
  • Trifluoperazine
  • Amphotericin B