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Science & Technology - Briefs

health
Cracking the capsule
Every year a million people, mostly aids and transplant patients, are killed by a disease called cryptococcosis, symptoms of which include chest pain, dry cough, abdominal swelling, headache and blurred vision. This disease is caused by the deadly fungus Cryptococcus neoformans which attacks immune systems that are already infected. Researchers have now discovered how it evades the human immune system. The fungus encases itself in a protective capsule that begins to enlarge once it is inside a host

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