Cryptococcal Pneumonia

**Semantic type:** Disease or Syndrome

**Definition:** Fungal pneumonia caused by inhalation of particles of Cryptococcus. It usually occurs in immunocompromised patients such as persons with AIDS, transplant recipients, patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, and patients with hematologic malignancies. It is rare in immunocompetent individuals. Signs and symptoms include fever, cough, and dyspnea.