Question

The sample used to diagnose cryptococcosis is

• A. Cerebrospinal fluid
• B. Sputum
• C. Semen
• D. Urine

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

Cerebrospinal fluid
Urine

• Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by fungus belonging to genus Cryptococcus. Humans are infected to this disease if they inhale the causative agent along with the air.
• The infection caused by this fungi is of 3 types- wound infection, pulmonary infection and infection of meninges.
• Infection in the meninges is caused when the spores of the fungus somehow reach to the tissue covering the brain from their infectious site in pulmonary. They cause infection in the meninges.
• This is observed mostly in the patients with weak or deficient immune system for example patients suffering from AIDS.
• To diagnose the disease infection sample of the cerebrospinal fluid is take through a lumbar puncture or the urine of the patient is taken and test to measure cryptococcal antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid is done.
• Culture with positive test for cryptococcal antigen indicates heavy infection in the individual.
• So the correct answer is 'Cerebrospinal fluid,Urine'