SummaryFive cases of cryptococcosis occurred in South Australia during 1957. Only four other cases (also described here) were recognized in the previous ten years. In four cases in this series the patient had a preceding respiratory infection followed by pulmonary cryptococcosis, and three of these developed central nervous system involvement. Isolated pulmonary lesions, cerebral granuloma and spinal cord involvement are rare forms of cryptococcosis which also occurred in this series.No treatment has proved effective; “Amphotericin B” and “Fungizone”, now under trial, were unsuccessful in two cases here. Surgical removal of isolated brain and lung lesions may help, but earlier diagnosis, perhaps by the development of immunological tests, is highly desirable. Because of its varied manifestations, cryptococcal meningitis is difficult to diagnose until late in the course of the disease.The cause of human infection is unknown, but it must be related in some way to the resistance of the host, as well as to variations in virulence or type of the fungus. The significance of contact with pigeons is discussed.
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