• Aspergillus nidulans
• Cryptococcus neoformans
• Fusarium ssp.
• Magnaporthe oryzae
• Neurospora crassa
• Ustilago maydis

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota. It is commonly found in the environment, especially in bird droppings and decaying plant material. This pathogen is known to cause cryptococcosis, a serious infection primarily affecting individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS. Cryptococcus neoformans has a unique cell wall composition containing numerous polysaccharides and proteins. It reproduces through asexual budding, forming spherical yeast cells that are capable of surviving and multiplying within the host’s tissues, particularly the lungs and central nervous system. Cryptococcosis usually begins as a lung infection, but it can spread to other organs, including the brain, causing potentially life-threatening complications. Symptoms may vary depending on the site of infection but can include cough, shortness of breath, headache, fever, confusion, and neurological deficits. To diagnose cryptococcosis, laboratory tests are conducted, such as the detection of the fungal antigen in body fluids or the isolation of the fungus from clinical samples. Antifungal medications, such as amphotericin B and fluconazole, are commonly used for treatment. It is important to note that while Cryptococcus neoformans can be a serious pathogen for immunocompromised individuals, it rarely causes disease in healthy individuals.