ABSTRACT
The encapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the major yeast pathogens in patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity, and those diagnosed with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This chapter reviews the lipid and sterol composition of C. neoformans and discusses the effect of triazole antifungals on the sterol composition of this yeast. Unlike Candida albicans, which has almost equal levels of polar and non-polar lipids, the majority of the lipids extracted from C. neoformans are non-polar in nature. Growth of the cryptococcal isolates in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazole significantly altered the sterol content and pattern. The fatty acids detected in the total lipids of three C. neoformans strains are predominantly palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids. In an earlier study S. J. Kim also investigated the role of cryptococcal sterols in virulence. Additionally, since the mutants were derived by UV irradiation, the differences observed in virulence could be due to changes not related to the observed alterations in sterols.
