(2) resistance to killing by alveolar macrophages; and

(3) production of phenoloxidase an enzyme that consumes host epinephrine in the synthesis of fungal melanin and thus protects the fungi from the epinephrine oxidative system present in the host nervous system.

It is thought that one reason why Cryptococcus neoformans preferentially infects the brain may be because the CSF lacks alternative pathway complement components (present in serum) that bind to the carbohydrate capsule and facilitate phagocytosis and killing by polymorphonuclear cells.</spoiler>