Question

What are the pathogenic mechanisms and morphological characteristics of fungal pathogens? Specifically, Cryptococcus neoformans. Any information would be helpful. Thanks! If you cannot find the information, could you explain what pathogenic mechanisms and morphological characteristics of a pathogen is?

Answer 1

Question

The shape, size , color , presence or absence of any hair growth of an pathogen are described as the morphological characterstics. The morphological characters are the structural characters of the pathogen that help them to get entry to the host cell and help them to survive within host cell whereas pathogenic mechanisms of the pathogen are specific biological mechanism used by them to cause a disease or infection in the host. Each pathogen have specific mechanism to enter inside the host and for this they use specific proteins known as pathogenic proteins and virulence factor to cause disease in host.

The morphological characterstics of C. neoformans are:

I. They are spherical in shape.

II. They are encapsulated, non-myceliated fungus

III. They are non-fermentating.

IV. They produce small size basidiopores.

The pathogenic mechanisms of C.neoformans are:

I. This pathogen damage the host at cellular level, molecular, tissue and organism level.

II. Cytoskeletal alternation.

III. Damage of phagolysosomal membrane.

IV. Dysfunction of organelles like mitochondria.