Cryptococcosis is typically acquired by which route?

• A. Inhalation of spores
• B. Direct skin contact
• C. Ingestion of undercooked meat
• D. Blood transfusion

Answer: (A)

Cryptococcosis is acquired through inhalation of spores from the environment. When these fungal elements are breathed in, they first lodge in the lungs and can remain subclinical; in people with weakened immunity, they can spread through the bloodstream to other sites, notably the central nervous system, causing meningitis. This route—environmental inhalation—explains why exposure to soil or bird droppings (like pigeons) is a typical risk factor. Direct skin contact, ingestion of undercooked meat, or transmission via blood transfusion are not familiar routes for acquiring cryptococcosis, since the organism is not spread through those pathways.