In vitro C3 deposition on Cryptococcus capsule occurs via multiple complement activation pathways.

Complement can be activated via three pathways: classical, alternative, and lectin. Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans are closely related fungal pathogens possessing a polysaccharide capsule composed mainly of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), which serves as a site for complement activation and deposition of complement components. We determined C3 deposition on Cryptococcus spp.

Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanigenum fungemia in a pediatric patient.

This report describes a chronically ill child who presented with high fever and was diagnosed with catheter-related sepsis. Aureobasidium pullulans variety melanigenum, a dematiaceous fungus that rarely causes opportunistic infections, was recovered from multiple blood cultures. Antifungal susceptibilities were performed and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for fluconazole was 64 mg/l, suggestive of fluconazole resistance.