Environmental straits of Cryptococcus neoformans variety grubii in the city of Santos, SP, Brazil

Abstract

This study involved a total of 116 samples, 79 taken from pigeon droppings and 37 of atmospheric air taken close to accumulations of excrement. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was isolated from 11 (13.9%) of these samples. Other species of Cryptococcus were also isolated from these samples, such as C. albidus (12.6%) and C. laurentii (8.9%). C. neoformans was not isolated from the air samples, though C. albidus (5.4%) was. All the strains of C. neoformans were found to belong to the A serotype (C. neoformans var. grubii). In regard to the studies with the antifungal agents 5-fluorocytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B and voriconazole, by means of the microdilution method (EUCAST), we point out that one sample demonstrated resistance to fluconazole, this being especially significant because this is an environmental strain.

In vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles and genotypes of 308 clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and Cryptococcus gattii serotype B from north-western India

“…grubii isolates to fluconazole, itraconazole and 5-flucytosine compared with that of the clinical isolates is in contrast to the findings of some investigators who found that antifungal susceptibility was not related to the clinical or environmental origin of strains (Franzot & Hamdan, 1996;Moraes et al, 2003;Trilles et al, 2004). Of relevance here is the report by Soares et al (2005) stating that a solitary isolate of C. neoformans var. grubii from pigeon excreta was resistant to fluconazole (MIC 64 mg ml 21 ).…”

Serotype and mating type characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans by Multiplex PCR

“…The isolation of C. neoformans from avian excreta has been reported by several authors 3,7,16,19,20 . REZENDE (2002) evaluated the presence of C. neoformans in pigeon and canary droppings in the urban area of the city of Alfenas and found the yeast in 11.11% of the samples analyzed.…”

Comportamento de amostras ambientais e clínicas de Cryptococcus neoformans frente a fungicidas de uso agronômico e ao fluconazol

“…Cryptococcus neoformans em relação a diferentes antifúngicos tem sido estudada por diversos autores 2,6,8,9 . Entretanto, há poucos dados comparativos de valores de CIM entre isolados clínicos e ambientais.…”