Final answer:
Cryptococcosis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, leads to diseases such as Cryptococcal meningitis and Cryptococcal pneumonia, both of which are severe in immunocompromised individuals and require extensive antifungal treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease caused by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is known as cryptococcosis, and two of the diseases caused by this fungus are Cryptococcal meningitis and Cryptococcal pneumonia. Cryptococcal meningitis is a serious infection that affects the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord and is particularly severe in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS. It can lead to symptoms including fever, fatigue, dry cough, headaches, sensitivity to light, and confusion. Infection typically begins in the lungs and can disseminate to the brain, a condition that requires prolonged treatment with specialized antifungal drugs like amphotericin B plus flucytosine.
Cryptococcal pneumonia, another form of infection caused by the same fungus, often precedes meningitis. It starts as a pulmonary infection and in cases where it is not adequately treated, the infection may spread to the central nervous system. Cryptococcus neoformans is known to be found in soil and is associated with bird droppings, particularly those of pigeons, which facilitates its transmission through aerosols inhaled into the lungs.