Capsulated organism includes?

It is the only basidiomycetous yeast which is pathogenic. It is characterised by thick polysaccaride capsule which is stained by India ink. In culture, Cryptococcus species produce whitish mucoid colonies within 2-3 days. Microscopically, in culture or clinical material, the spherical budding yeast cells (5-10 m in diameter) are surrounded by a thick non staining capsule. All species of Cryptococcus, including several non pathogenic species, are encapsulated and possess urease. However, C neoformans and C gattii differ from nonpathogenic species by the abilities to grow at 37degC and the production of laccase, a phenol oxidase, which catalyzes the formation of melanin from appropriate phenolic substrates (eg, catecholamines). Both the capsule and laccase are well-characterized virulence factors. Ref: Brooks G.F., Carroll K.C., Butel J.S., Morse S.A., Mietzneron T.A. (2010). Chapter 45. Medical Mycology. In G.F. Brooks, K.C. Carroll, J.S. Butel, S.A. Morse, T.A. Mietzneron (Eds), Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 25e.