Around the world, approximately 1 million cases of cryptococcosis are reported annually, with approximately 625,000 deaths. In the United States, the "incidence of cryptococcosis is estimated to be around 0.4-1.3 cases per 100,000 in the general population and 2-7 cases per 100,000 in people affected with AIDS, and the estimated case fatality ratio is approximately 12%."3(Epidemiology section)
Immune suppression associated with AIDS, diabetes, chronic liver disease, chronic renal disease, prolonged use of steroids, and organ transplant is the major mechanism that predisposes patients to cryptococcal disease.
