The genus Cryptococcus comprises more than 80 species, including C. neoformans and C. gattii, which are pathogenic to humans, mainly affecting the central nervous system. The two species differ in geographic distribution and environmental niche. C. neoformans has a worldwide distribution and is often isolated from bird droppings. On the contrary, C. gattii is reported in tropical and subtropical regions and is associated with Eucalyptus species. This review aims to describe the distribution of environmental isolates of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex and the Cryptococcus gattii species complex in Colombia. A systematic investigation was carried out using different databases, excluding studies of clinical isolates reported in the country. The complex of the species of C. gattii is recovered mainly from trees of the genus Eucalyptus spp., while the complex of the species of C. neoformans is recovered mainly from avian excrement, primarily Columba livia (pigeons) excrement. In addition, greater positivity was found at high levels of relative humidity. Likewise, an association was observed between the presence of the fungus in places with little insolation and cold or temperate temperatures compared to regions with high temperatures.

Background The Cryptococcus genus comprises more than 80 species, of which C. neoformansand C. gattii are the leading cause of cryptococcosis. The distribution of C. gattii and C. neoformans complex has been extensively studied and widely reported globally. Other species such as C. albidus, C. laurentii, and C. flavescens have been reported as pathogenic yeast. Since there are no reports of environmental isolation in the Boyacá region (Colombia), this study aimed to isolate and characterize the species of Cryptococcus from pigeon feces, eucalyptus, and olive trees distributed in the municipalities of Tunja and Ricaute Alto. Results The environmental data was recovered, and the isolations obtained were identified by microscopy, biochemical test, MALDI-TOF, RFLP of the URA5 gene, and sequencing of the ITS and LSU gene. For the 93 pigeon dropping samples collected in Tunja, 23 corresponded to C. neoformans, 3 to C. saitoi, 2 C. albidus and 1 to C. laurentii. Of the 1188 samples collected from olive trees, 17 (1.43%) positive samples were identified as C. gattii (4), C. neoformans var. grubii (2), C. laurentii (3), C. albidus (2), C. saitoi (5) and C. flavescens (1). Likewise, specimens of C. neoformans var. grubii presented molecular type VNI and molecular type VNII; for C. gattii the molecular types found were VGIII and VGIV. Conclusions Therefore, it can be concluded that the species of Cryptococcus genus, are present in the environment of Boyacá, and show a predilection for climate conditions that are typical of this region.

Background The Cryptococcus genus comprises more than 80 species, of which C. neoformansand C. gattii are the leading cause of cryptococcosis. The distribution of C. gattii and C. neoformans complex has been extensively studied and widely reported globally. Other species such as C. albidus, C. laurentii, and C. flavescens have been reported as pathogenic yeast. Since there are no reports of environmental isolation in the Boyacá region (Colombia), this study aimed to isolate and characterize the species of Cryptococcus from pigeon feces, eucalyptus, and olive trees distributed in the municipalities of Tunja and Ricaute Alto. Results The environmental data was recovered, and the isolations obtained were identified by microscopy, biochemical test, MALDI-TOF, RFLP of the URA5 gene, and sequencing of the ITS and LSU gene. For the 93 pigeon dropping samples collected in Tunja, 23 corresponded to C. neoformans, 3 to C. saitoi, 2 C. albidus and 1 to C. laurentii. Of the 1188 samples collected from olive trees, 17 (1.43%) positive samples were identified as C. gattii (4), C. neoformans var. grubii (2), C. laurentii (3), C. albidus (2), C. saitoi(5) and C. flavescens (1). Likewise, specimens of C. neoformansvar. grubii presented molecular type VNI and molecular type VNII; for C. gattii the molecular types found were VGIII and VGIV. Conclusions Therefore, it can be concluded that the species of Cryptococcus genus, are present in the environment of Boyacá, and show a predilection for climate conditions that are typical of this region.