Cryptococcus gattii in urban trees from cities in North‐eastern Argentina

Abstract

In the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP4/VGI was found to be associated with decaying wood in hollows of different tree species. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of C. gattii in the environment of riverside cities of the river Paraná, and to describe its serotypes and molecular types. Five hundred samples were collected in 50 parks by swabbing tree hollows. The samples were inoculated on caffeic acid agar supplemented with chloramphenicol, and incubated at 28 °C for 1 week with a daily observation. The isolates were identified by conventional methods. The serotype was determined by slide agglutination with specific antisera. Molecular typing was carried out by PCR-RFLP of the URA5 gene. Four isolates of C. gattii were recovered: Cryptococcus gattii serotype B, genotype AFLP4/VGI, isolated from Eucalyptus sp. in the city of Rosario and from Grevillea robusta in the city of La Paz; and C. gattii serotype C, genotype AFLP5/VGIII, isolated from two different Tipuana tipu trees in the city of Resistencia. Here, we report for the first time the isolation of C. gattii serotype C, genotype AFLP5/VGIII, from environmental samples in Argentina.

Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis in Cuba. A minireview

“…Subsequent reports have shown that this association is not limited to Eucalyptus trees or a particular geographical area which contributed to a better understanding of the diversity of its natural sources that interestingly, do not include poultry manure . Early in this decade, the outbreak at the west coast of North America indicated a drastic change in the adaptation of this organism to other environments …”

“…Infections due to C. gattii genotypes AFLP4 and AFLP6 usually occur in patients without detectable predisposing factors whereas genotypes AFLP5, AFLP7 and AFLP10 appear to be more associated with an impaired immune system, similar to C. neoformans . Interestingly no underlying disease previously associated with C. gattii genotype AFLP5 infections, could be demonstrated in the Cuban patient.…”

A rare case of Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia in a renal transplant patient

“…Data indicate that fluconazole susceptibility varies with the molecular type of C. gattii ; the highest minimal inhibitory concentrations against fluconazole and voriconazole have been reported with genotypes VGIIa and VGIIc . C. gattii VGI, the molecular type in this case, is the most prevalent molecular type found among C. gattii isolates in Argentina, where strains have been isolated from several trees including Eucalyptus species, Grevillea robusta , Tipuana tipu , Cedrus deodara , Acacia visco , Cupressus sempervirens , and Ulmus campestris .…”

A Case of Cryptococcus gattii in Western Florida

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Infection occurs through inhalation of spores or desiccated yeasts and has been documented in both humans and animals. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Infection occurs through inhalation of spores or desiccated yeasts and has been documented in both humans and animals.…”

“…18,19 Cryptococcus gattii is proving to be a virulent pathogen of both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. 3,4,6,10,12,20 The genotypes associated with the recent outbreaks in British Columbia and Northwestern United States included VGIIa, VGIIb, and VGIIc. For example, through multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and serology studies, C. gattii can be divided into 4 molecular types (VGI-VGIV) and 2 serotypes, B and C. 5 VGI is endemic to Australia and is the most widely distributed subtype.…”