Disseminated Cryptococcosis in Man: Decreased Lymphocyte Transformation in Response to Cryptococcus neoformans

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 127; no. 6; pp. 694 - 697
• Main Authors: Diamond, Richard D., Bennett, John E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The University of Chicago Press 01.06.1973; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Antigens; Antigens, Fungal; Corticosteroids; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcosis - immunology; Cryptococcus - immunology; Cryptococcus neoformans; Cryptococcus neoformans - immunology; DNA - biosynthesis; Fungal infections; Humans; Infections; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Predisposing factors; Skin Tests; Thymidine - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/127.6.694

Heat-killed Cryptococcus neoformans, a yeast-like fungus, was used to stimulate in-vitro incorporation of thymidine by human lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from control subjects previously exposed to cryptococci (positive skin tests) had significantly higher uptake of thymidine than cells from unexposed control subjects (negative skin tests). Uptake by lymphocytes from successfully treated patients with cryptococcosis was low when compared with that of exposed control subjects. It is suggested that defective function of lymphocytes may reflect increased susceptibility to cryptococcal infection in some patients with cryptococcosis without any other known predisposing factors.