More frequent cases of serotype A and D have been reported in Europe where cryptococcosis is associated with 77% of HIV patients. C. gattii strains B and C are localized in tropical and subtropical regions (e.g. Australia, Papua New Guinea, and South America) and cause cryptococcal infections mostly in immunocompetent hosts Footnote 1.
C. gattii isolates can also cause infections in regions with a temperate climate. Cryptococcal meningitis, caused by the fungus C. neoformans, can cause up to 30% mortality in AIDS patients in resource-poor regions such as Southeast Asia Footnote 1.