Cryptococcosis risk factors

Risk factors for the development of cryptococcal infection include being immunocompromised and inhalational exposure (most commonly from dry bird droppings).

Risk factors for the development of cryptococcal infection include:

• Being immunocompromised, such as having advanced HIV/AIDS (CD4 <100 cells/mm), organ transplantation, invasive cancer, or intake of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications.^[1][2][3]
• Cryptococcus is ubiquitous in the environment, but inhalational exposure to dry bird droppings or guano (excrement of seabirds or cave-dwelling bats) increases the risk of contracting the disease if a patient is immunocompromised.
• Smoking and outdoor occupations are considered risk factors for inhalational exposure.^[4]
• Taking high-dose corticosteroids, monoclonal antibodies such as alemtuzumab or infliximab, or other immunosuppressive agents.