Resumo

DOLANDE FRANCO, M. Virulence and immunity factors in cryptococosis. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2001, vol.21, n.2, pp.62-66. ISSN 1315-2556.

The pathogenesis in cryptococosis is associated to multiple virulence factors of which capsule and melanin production are the most important. The polysacaride capsule has a high amount of glucuronoxylomannan (GXN) which impedes phagocytosis, migration of leucocytes and suppresses T-linfocytes proliferation. Melanin blocks the production of tumoral necrosis factor (TNF) by macrophages, necessary to induce the protective immune cellular response. A number of studies have concluded that C. neoformans' virulence is produced by several factors and is dependent on the quantitative differences in their expression and also the characteristics that regulate these factors pathways. Much research should be made in the future to have a better knowledge of this fungus to enable us to establish the mechanisms of defense that contribute towards the control and resolution of the disease.

Palavras-chave : Criptococosis; virulencia; inmunidad.