Cryptococcosis

Disease Information

Cryptococcus gattii is an environmental fungus closely related to C. neoformans that can infect the pulmonary and central nervous systems of both animals and humans. The infection is caused by breathing in the spores of Cryptococcus fungus. The C. gattii fungus has been isolated from trees, soil, air, and water.

Disease Reporting

What is required?

All cryptococcal infections are reportable within one working day. Please contact the on-call state epidemiologist regarding any suspect cases at 971-673-1111.

C. gattii is an emerging infection in Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest region and is being closely monitored by the Oregon Public Health Division's Emerging Infection Program.

For Tribal and Local Public Health Authorities

• Cryptococcosis Investigative Guidelines (pdf)

Specimen Testing (free of charge)

• Animal specimens: All animal specimens and isolates can be identified as C. neoformans at Oregon State University. When sending isolates, please fill out the OSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory General Submission Form (pdf) and  check "Cryptococcal Antigen Detection Panel" under "Mycology" on page 2.
  

Data

Once you click on the Tableau link, you will be able to select your disease of interest.

• Weekly Tableau dashboard
  
• Monthly Tableau dashboard
  
• Cryptococcosis data is included in the Annual Oregon Selected Communicable Disease Summary Communicable Disease Summary
  

See Also

• CDC's Cryptococcus website
  
• British Columbia CDC Information on Cryptococcus
  

• Journal of Wildlife Diseases: Cryptococcus gattii in wildlife of Vancouver Island, BC (2006)
• AVMA: Evaluation of risk factors for Cryptococcus gattii infection in dogs and cats (2006)