Cryptococcus

(krip″tŏ-kok′ŭs)

[crypto- + coccus]
A genus of pathogenic yeastlike fungi.

Cryptococcus gattii

An encapsulated yeast, similar in structure to C. neoformans. It can cause meningoencephalitis and pneumonia in immunocompetent individuals who live in temperate or subtropical climates.

Cryptococcus neoformans

A species that is the causative agent of cryptococcosis. It is the only encapsulated yeast that causes human infection.