Cryptococcus gattii: a Review of the Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of This Endemic Yeast in the Pacific Northwest

Cryptococcus gattii emerged on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, in 1999. Subsequent spread to the Vancouver lower mainland, Washington state, and Oregon has been documented. Unlike classic Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes disease in immunosuppressed individuals, C. gattii tends to cause disease in essentially immunocompetent individuals. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of infections caused by this now endemic yeast in the Pacific Northwest.