Variability in the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans strains can influence the outcome of cryptococcal meningo-encephalitis. The standard method to assess the in vivo virulence of fungal strains uses survival studies in animal models. Unfortunately, these studies only give very limited information and no insights in disease manifestation and progression during the infection. The aim of our study was to validate non-invasive imaging methods for their potential to assess virulence of cryptococcal strains in vivo. To this end, we aimed at characterizing potential differences in the course of the disease caused by clinical C. neoformans strains in a murine model by use of preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Magnetic resonance imaging of infected mouse brains allows non-invasive screening of differences in the virulence of clinical Cryptococcus neoformans strains