Old Cryptococcus neoformans Cells Contribute to Virulence in Chronic Cryptococcosis

Abstract

Our findings that the generational age of Cryptococcus neoformans cells matters in pathogenesis introduces a novel concept to eukaryotic pathogenesis research. We propose that emerging properties of aging C. neoformans cells and possibly also other fungal pathogens contribute to persistence and virulence. Whereas the replicative life span of strains may not matter for virulence per se, age-related resilience and thus the generational age of individual C. neoformans cells within a pathogen population could greatly affect persistence of the pathogen population and therefore impact outcome.