scholarly journals Cryptococcus neoformans VNII as the Main Cause of Cryptococcosis in Domestic Cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 980
Author(s):  
Rosani Santos Reis ◽  
Isabel Cristina Fábregas Bonna ◽  
Isabela Maria da Silva Antonio ◽  
Sandro Antonio Pereira ◽  
Carlos Roberto Sobrinho do Nascimento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Mating Type ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Molecular Type ◽  
Ecological Features ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp ◽  
Epidemiological Profile

Cryptococcosis is a systemic fungal disease acquired from contaminated environments with propagules of the basidiomycetous yeasts of the Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. The C. neoformans species complex classically comprises four major molecular types (VNI, VNII, VNIII, and VNIV), and the C. gattii species complex comprises another four (VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV) and the newly identified molecular type VGV. These major molecular types differ in their epidemiological and ecological features, clinical presentations, and therapeutic outcomes. Generally, the most common isolated types are VNI, VGI, and VGII. The epidemiological profile of cryptococcosis in domestic cats is poorly studied and cats can be the sentinels for human infections. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the molecular characterization of Cryptococcus spp. isolated from domestic cats and their dwellings in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 36 Cryptococcus spp. strains, both clinical and environmental, from 19 cats were subtyped using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The ploidy was identified using flow cytometry and the mating type was determined through amplification with specific pheromone primers. All strains were mating type alpha and 6/36 were diploid (all VNII). Most isolates (63.88%) were identified as VNII, a rare molecular type, leading to the consideration that this genotype is more likely related to skin lesions, since there was a high percentage (68.75%) of cats with skin lesions, which is also considered rare. Further studies regarding the molecular epidemiology of cryptococcosis in felines are still needed to clarify the reason for the large proportion of the rare molecular type VNII causing infections in cats.

scholarly journals Prevalence, Genetic Structure, and Antifungal Susceptibility of the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii Species Complex Strains Collected from the Arboreal Niche in Poland

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Magdalena Florek ◽  
Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal ◽  
Anna Wzorek ◽  
Katarzyna Włodarczyk ◽  
Maja Marynowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Environmental Study ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Molecular Type ◽  
Pathogen Population ◽  
Etiological Agents

Fungi belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex (CNGSC) are etiological agents of serious and not infrequently fatal infections in both humans and animals. Trees are the main ecological niche and source of potential exposition concerning these pathogens. With regard to epidemiology of cryptococcosis, various surveys were performed worldwide, enabling the establishment of a map of distribution and genetic structure of the arboreal population of the CNGSC. However, there are regions, among them Central and Eastern Europe, in which the data are lacking. The present study shows the results of such an environmental study performed in Wrocław, Poland. The CNGSC strains were detected in 2.2% of the tested trees belonging to four genera. The obtained pathogen population consisted exclusively of C. neoformans, represented by both the major molecular type VNI and VNIV. Within the tested group of isolates, resistance to commonly used antimycotics was not found, except for 5-fluorocytosine, in which about 5% of the strains were classified as a non-wild type.

scholarly journals Characterization of Cryptococcus Neoformans Strains From Cases of Cryptococcal Meningitis in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish C Gugnani ◽  
Thomas G. Mitchell ◽  
Anubha Paliwal-Joshi ◽  
Ashok Rattan
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Mating Type ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Molecular Type ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Susceptibility Tests ◽  
In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility

Reports of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans often lack information on their mating types, molecular types, and in vitro antimycotic susceptibilities. This study compares these and other related characteristics of fifteen strains of C. neoformans obtained from cases of meningitis in different regions of India. PCR was used to determine the mating type and serotype of each strain, and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism was used for molecular typing of the strains. In vitro assays compared the proteinase and phospholipase activities of the strains, and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocol was used to determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole, and fluconazole. All strains were identified as C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A), possessed the alpha mating type, and belonged to molecular type VNII. Ten of the strains demonstrated strong proteolytic activity, and the remaining five were weakly proteolytic. Nine of the strains were positive for phospholipase. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests, determined the MIC (µg/ml) values for AMB, itraconazole, and fluconazole to be 0.03-0.5, 0.002-03, and 2-4 µg/ml, respectively. Remarkedly, all 15 strains belonged to the relatively rare molecular type, VNII. This report is one of few studies to characterize clinical strains of C. neoformans from India.

scholarly journals An analysis of the population of Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from animals in Poland, in the years 2015–2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Florek ◽  
Urszula Nawrot ◽  
Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal ◽  
Katarzyna Włodarczyk ◽  
Anna Wzorek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Molecular Type ◽  
Animal Group ◽  
Maldi Tof Ms ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
World Distribution ◽  
Tof Ms

AbstractFungi belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex (CNGSC) are pathogens causing severe infections in humans and animals, that for humans may result in a mortality rate ranging up to 70%. The CNGSC is divided into eight major molecular types, that may differ in their virulence and susceptibility. In order to fully understand the epidemiology of cryptococcosis, it is important to study the world distribution and population structure of these pathogens. The present study is the first presenting a population of strains isolated in Poland and one of the few using a multi-species animal group as a source of the specimen. The pathogen was present in 2.375% of the tested animals. The URA5-RFLP and MALDI-TOF MS analyses have revealed that the population consisted exclusively of C. neoformans strains, with a predominance of major molecular type VNIV (C. neoformans var. neoformans). The MALDI-TOF MS was used to perform the CNGSC strains identification on both the species and sub-species level. Despite the fact that the animals providing the specimens were not treated with 5-fluorocytosine, around 10% of the tested population presented MIC values exceeding 64 mg/L, indicating the existence of the 5-fluorocytosine-resistant strains in the environment.

scholarly journals Environmental Status of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 410
Author(s):  
Briggith-Nathalia Serna-Espinosa ◽  
Diomedes Guzmán-Sanabria ◽  
Maribel Forero-Castro ◽  
Patricia Escandón ◽  
Zilpa Adriana Sánchez-Quitian
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Cryptococcus Gattii ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Bird Droppings ◽  
The Central Nervous System

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.

scholarly journals Cryptococcus Species Other Than Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii: Are They Clinically Significant?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edison J Cano ◽  
Zachary A Yetmar ◽  
Raymund R Razonable
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Cryptococcus Gattii ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Cryptococcus Species ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp

Abstract Background Cryptococcus spp is a major cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, primarily due to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. There are occasional reports of other Cryptococcus species causing invasive human disease. However, their epidemiology and clinical significance are not fully defined. We sought to describe cases with cultures positive for Cryptococcus species other than C neoformans and C gattii. Methods A retrospective descriptive analysis of clinical and laboratory data of patients with cultures growing Cryptococcus species other than C neoformans and C gattii from November 2011 to February 2019 was performed. Three Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota were included. Results From 176 cases with a culture growing Cryptococcus spp, 54 patients (30%) had a culture for Cryptococcus other than C neoformans and C gattii in the study time frame. The most common species were Cryptococcus magnus, Cryptococcus laurentii, and Cryptococcus ater. The organisms were isolated and identified in culture of bronchoalveolar lavage (11), skin (11), urine (7), oral (4), sinus (3), intraoperative soft tissue (3), sputum (2), synovial fluid (2), cerebrospinal fluid (2), and intravenous catheter (2), among others (7). Only 8 (15%) cases were considered to be potentially pathogenic, with 1 case of invasive disease. Antifungal treatment was fluconazole, itraconazole, and griseofulvin, for a mean systemic antifungal duration of 42 days. Conclusions This large series of patients with Cryptococcus spp other than C neoformans and C gattii suggests that these species rarely cause clinically significant infection in humans. Only 1 case of invasive disease was found.

The alpha-mating type locus of Cryptococcus neoformans contains a peptide pheromone gene

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1962-1970
Author(s):  
T D Moore ◽  
J C Edman
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Mating Type ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Mating Types ◽  
Type Locus ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Cloning Method ◽  
Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Specific Fragment

The opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans has two mating types, MATa and MAT alpha. The MAT alpha strains are more virulent. Mating of opposite mating type haploid yeast cells results in the production of a filamentous hyphal phase. The MAT alpha locus has been isolated in this study in order to identify the genetic differences between mating types and their contribution to virulence. A 138-bp fragment of MAT alpha-specific DNA which cosegregates with alpha-mating type was isolated by using a difference cloning method. Overlapping phage and cosmid clones spanning the entire MAT alpha locus were isolated by using this MAT alpha-specific fragment as a probe. Mapping of these clones physically defined the MAT alpha locus to a 35- to 45-kb region which is present only in MAT alpha strains. Transformation studies with fragments of the MAT alpha locus identified a 2.1-kb XbaI-HindIII fragment that directs starvation-induced filament formation in MATa cells but not in MAT alpha cells. This 2.1-kb fragment contains a gene, MF alpha, with a small open reading frame encoding a pheromone precursor similar to the lipoprotein mating factors found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ustilago maydis, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The ability of the MATa cells to express, process, and secrete the MAT alpha pheromone in response to starvation suggests similar mechanisms for these processes in both cell types. These results also suggest that the production of pheromone is under a type of nutritional control shared by the two cell types.

scholarly journals Genotyping, serotyping and determination of mating-type of Cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates from São Paulo State, Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Teruyuki Matsumoto ◽  
Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida ◽  
Lilian Cristiane Baeza ◽  
Márcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem ◽  
Maria José Soares Medes-Giannini
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Mating Type ◽  
Rflp Analysis ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Pcr Fingerprinting ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
São Paulo State

The basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is an important fungal pathogen mainly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, 47 clinical isolates of C. neoformans from regions of São Paulo State were studied serologically by using the Crypto Check Iatron RM 304-K kit, their genetic diversity was estimated by PCR-fingerprinting with a microsatellite-specific sequence (GACA)4, RAPD with primer 6 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the phospholipase B gene (PLB1) digested with AvaI and mating type analysis by PCR. All 47 strains isolated from HIV positive patients included in this study were serotype A and MATalpha. The majority of the isolates (45/47) were VNI and only two were VNII by PCR-fingerprinting and PCR-RFLP analysis. High degree of homogeneity was observed when (GACA)4 was used, being highly correlated (> 0.9). In contrast, the RAPD analysis was more heterogeneous with higher number of molecular profiles. By PCR-RFLP, no new molecular type was found, enhancing the suggestion that the differences based on conserved gene as PLB1, can be resultant of ongoing divergent evolution within the C. neoformans complex, into the current eight subtypes. Our results furnish new information on the molecular epidemiology of C. neoformans in the southeast region of Brazil.

scholarly journals Clinical epidemiological profile of vitiligo in children and adolescents

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1026-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flauberto de Sousa Marinho ◽  
Pablo Vitoriano Cirino ◽  
Nurimar C. Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
High Power ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Topical Steroids ◽  
Clinical Form ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
Generalized Type

94 children and 25 adolescents, 42% male and 58% female, aged predominantly between six and ten years old (40%) were studied at the Martagão Gesteira Childcare and Pediatrics Institute (Rio de Janeiro Federal University) between 2005 and 2011. The prevalent clinical form of vitiligo was the generalized type (34%). Although the clinical response was similar between the treatment modalities, we decided for low and high power topical steroids in our routine. Halo nevi were found in seven (5.9%) cases. Thirty (25%) patients underwent specialized evaluation and 18 (60%) reported some relevant psychological situation.

scholarly journals Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis in an Immunocompetent 6-Year-Old Female

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-242
Author(s):  
Mitchell Hobbs ◽  
Joy King ◽  
Rana El Feghaly ◽  
Robert Brodell
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Immunocompetent Patient ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Oral Fluconazole ◽  
Healthy Female ◽  
Empiric Antibiotic ◽  
Empiric Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Cutaneous Cryptococcosis ◽  
Superficial Culture

A 6-year-old otherwise healthy female presented to the ED with a right eyebrow lesion for one month.  Previous I&D attempts and empiric antibiotic treatment had failed to improve the lesion.  Following dermatology referral, superficial culture resulted with growth of Cryptococcus neoformans after which completion of oral fluconazole treatment resolved the lesion.  Though Cryptococcus neoformans infections commonly plague immunocompromised patients, primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in the immunocompetent patient is a rare but documented infection with a paucity of reported pediatric cases, and frontline physicians should be aware of such a diagnosis in the setting of persistent skin lesions without response to more commonly utilized therapies.

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