<i>Cryptococcus gattii</i>Dispersal Mechanisms, British Columbia, Canada

Kidd, Sarah; Bach, Paxton; Hingston, Adrian O; Mak, Sunny; Chow, Yat; MacDougall, Laura; Kronstad, James W.; Bartlett, Karen H.

doi:10.3201/eid1301.060823

Cited by 134 publications

(113 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…We have been unable to isolate C. gattii from the environment around his home; therefore, the source of infection remains unclear. C. gattii may have been transiently present in the area at the time of disease acquisition or may be present below the limits of detection, which is consistent with theories of recent dispersal (5,8).…”

supporting

confidence: 73%

First Contemporary Case of Human Infection with Cryptococcus gattii in Puget Sound: Evidence for Spread of the Vancouver Island Outbreak

et al. 2007

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supporting

confidence: 73%

First Contemporary Case of Human Infection with Cryptococcus gattii in Puget Sound: Evidence for Spread of the Vancouver Island Outbreak

et al. 2007

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“…C. gattii concentrations in air samples obtained during the Vancouver Island outbreak were significantly higher in the warm, dry summer months, although potentially infectious propagules (Ͻ3.3 m in diameter) were present throughout the year (104). Decomposing wood in tree hollows has been identified as an environmental source (22,105).…”

Section: Environmental Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

2014

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SUMMARY Understanding of the taxonomy and phylogeny of Cryptococcus gattii has been advanced by modern molecular techniques. C. gattii probably diverged from Cryptococcus neoformans between 16 million and 160 million years ago, depending on the dating methods applied, and maintains diversity by recombining in nature. South America is the likely source of the virulent C. gattii VGII molecular types that have emerged in North America. C. gattii shares major virulence determinants with C. neoformans , although genomic and transcriptomic studies revealed that despite similar genomes, the VGIIa and VGIIb subtypes employ very different transcriptional circuits and manifest differences in virulence phenotypes. Preliminary evidence suggests that C. gattii VGII causes severe lung disease and death without dissemination, whereas C. neoformans disseminates readily to the central nervous system (CNS) and causes death from meningoencephalitis. Overall, currently available data indicate that the C. gattii VGI, VGII, and VGIII molecular types more commonly affect nonimmunocompromised hosts, in contrast to VGIV. New, rapid, cheap diagnostic tests and imaging modalities are assisting early diagnosis and enabling better outcomes of cerebral cryptococcosis. Complications of CNS infection include increased intracranial pressure, severe neurological sequelae, and development of immune reconstitution syndrome, although the mortality rate is low. C. gattii VGII isolates may exhibit higher fluconazole MICs than other genotypes. Optimal therapeutic regimens are yet to be determined; in most cases, initial therapy with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine is recommended.

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“…Other investigations into the ecological niches of these opportunistic pathogens have revealed a global distribution (Chen et al 2014) often associated with reservoirs such as guano (Nielsen et al 2007), Eucalyptus trees (Ellis and Pfeiffer 1990a), and Cassia trees (Lazera et al 2000; Granados and Castañeda 2005). Furthermore, air sampling in Australia during the flowering season of Eucalyptus camaldulensis contained C. gattii (Ellis and Pfeiffer 1990b) as did air samples collected after tree-cutting activities in Canada (Kidd et al 2007). Finally, Casadevall et al (2003) identified several virulence factors of C. neoformans that are “dual use” with both an environmental survival function and a pathogenetic function: a capsule that provides desiccation resistance as well as production of melanin for UV shielding, heat tolerance, and cold tolerance.…”

Section: Global Aerial Dispersal Of Naganishia Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

ANaganishiain high places: functioning populations or dormant cells from the atmosphere?

et al. 2017

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Here, we review the current state of knowledge concerning high-elevation members of the extremophilic Cryptococcus albidus clade (now classified as the genus Naganishia). These fungi dominate eukaryotic microbial communities across the highest elevation, soil-like material (tephra) on volcanoes such as Llullaillaco, Socompa, and Saírecabur in the Atacama region of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Recent studies indicate that Naganishia species are among the most resistant organisms to UV radiation, and a strain of N. friedmannii from Volcán Llullaillaco is the first organism that is known to grow during the extreme, diurnal freeze-thaw cycles that occur on a continuous basis at elevations above 6000 m.a.s.l. in the Atacama region. These and other extremophilic traits discussed in this review may serve a dual purpose of allowing Naganishia species to survive long-distance transport through the atmosphere and to survive the extreme conditions found at high elevations. Current evidence indicates that there are frequent dispersal events between high-elevation volcanoes of Atacama region and the Dry Valleys of Antarctica via “Rossby Wave” merging of the polar and sub-tropical jet streams. This dispersal hypothesis needs further verification, as does the hypothesis that Naganishia species are flexible “opportunitrophs” that can grow during rare periods of water (from melting snow) and nutrient availability (from Aeolian inputs) in one of the most extreme terrestrial habitats on Earth.

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Cryptococcus gattiiDispersal Mechanisms, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract: C. gattii may be spread through soil disturbances, wind, water, distribution of tree and soil byproducts, and human movement.

Cited by 134 publications

References 23 publications

First Contemporary Case of Human Infection with Cryptococcus gattii in Puget Sound: Evidence for Spread of the Vancouver Island Outbreak

First Contemporary Case of Human Infection with Cryptococcus gattii in Puget Sound: Evidence for Spread of the Vancouver Island Outbreak

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

ANaganishiain high places: functioning populations or dormant cells from the atmosphere?

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