cryptococcal meningitis A Cryptococcus that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column (meninges). It is a blood borne fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus, usually C. neoformans or C. gattii. It usually occurs in immunocompromised patients including persons with AIDS, transplant recipients, patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, and patients with hematologic malignancies. [ NCI ] http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/NCIT A cryptococcosis that is characterized by a blood borne fungal infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column (meninges). Caused by Cryptococcus, usually C. neoformans or C. gattii. It usually occurs in immunocompromised patients including persons with AIDS, transplant recipients, patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, and patients with hematologic malignancies. [ NCI ] cryptococcus gattii cryptococcosis cryptococcosis