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Taha M, Tartor YH, Elaziz RMA, Elsohaby I. Genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibilities of environmental Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. IMA Fungus 2024; 15:21. [PMID: 39060926 PMCID: PMC11282759 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-024-00153-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic systemic mycosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes and is of increasing global importance. Maintaining continued surveillance of the antifungal susceptibility of environmental C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates is desirable for better managing cryptococcosis by identifying resistant isolates and revealing the emergence of intrinsically resistant species. Relevant research data from Egypt are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to report the genetic diversity of C. neoformans and C. gattii species complexes originating from different environmental sources in Egypt, antifungal susceptibility profiles, antifungal combinations, and correlations of susceptibility with genotypes. A total of 400 environmental samples were collected, 220 from birds and 180 from trees. Cryptococcus spp. were found in 58 (14.5%) of the samples, 44 (75.9%) of the isolates were recovered from birds and 14 (24.1%) from trees. These isolates were genotyped using M13 polymerase chain reaction-fingerprinting and URA5 gene restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Of the 31 C. neoformans isolates, 24 (77.4%), 6 (19.4%) and one (4.4%) belonged to VNI, VNII, and VNIII genotypes, respectively. The 27 C. gattii isolates belonged to VGI (70.4%), VGII (18.5%), and VGIII (11.1%) genotypes. Non-wild type C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates that may have acquired resistance to azoles, amphotericin B (AMB), and terbinafine (TRB) were observed. C. gattii VGIII was less susceptible to fluconazole (FCZ) and itraconazole (ITZ) than VGI and VGII. C. neoformans isolates showed higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to FCZ, ITZ, and voriconazole (VRZ) than those of C. gattii VGI and VGII. Significant (P < 0.001) correlations were found between the MICs of VRZ and ITZ (r = 0.64) in both C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates, FCZ and TRB in C. neoformans isolates, and FCZ and TRB (r = 0.52) in C. gattii isolates.There is no significant differences in the MICs of TRB in combination with FCZ (P = 0.064) or in combination with AMB (P = 0.543) and that of TRB alone against C. gattii genotypes. By calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index, the combination of FCZ + AMB was synergistic against all tested genotypes. These findings expand our knowledge of ecological niches, genetic diversity, and resistance traits of C. neoformans and C. gattii genotypes in Egypt. Further investigations into how they are related to clinical isolates in the region are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Taha
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Yasmine H Tartor
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
| | - Rana M Abd Elaziz
- Cairo International Airport Veterinary Quarantine, General Organization for Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Elsohaby
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice (OHRP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
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van der Torre MH, Andrews RA, Hooker EL, Rankin A, Dodd S. Systematic review on Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex infections with recommendations for practice in health and care settings. CLINICAL INFECTION IN PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinpr.2022.100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Paccoud O, Bougnoux ME, Desnos-Ollivier M, Varet B, Lortholary O, Lanternier F. Cryptococcus gattii in Patients with Lymphoid Neoplasms: An Illustration of Evolutive Host-Fungus Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:212. [PMID: 33809570 PMCID: PMC8001097 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent outbreaks of Cryptococcus gattii (CG) infections in North America have sparked renewed interest in the pathogenic potential of CG, and have underscored notable differences with Cryptococcus neoformans in terms of geographic distribution, pathogen virulence, and host susceptibility. While cases of CG are increasingly reported in patients with a wide variety of underlying conditions, only very few have been reported in patients with lymphoid neoplasms. Herein, we report a case of autochthonous CG meningitis in a patient receiving ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in France, and review available data on the clinical epidemiology of CG infections in patients with lymphoid neoplasms. We also summarise recent data on the host responses to CG infection, as well as the potential management pitfalls associated with its treatment in the haematological setting. The clinical epidemiology, clinical presentation, and course of disease during infections caused by CG involve complex interactions between environmental exposure to CG, infecting genotype, pathogen virulence factors, host susceptibility, and host immune responses. Future treatment guidelines should address the challenges associated with the management of antifungal treatments in the onco-haematological setting and the potential drug-drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Paccoud
- University of Paris, Necker-Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France; (O.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- University of Paris, Department of Mycology, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Marie Desnos-Ollivier
- Molecular Mycology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals (NRCMA), Pasteur Institute, UMR2000, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Bruno Varet
- University of Paris, Department of Hematology, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Olivier Lortholary
- University of Paris, Necker-Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France; (O.P.); (O.L.)
- Molecular Mycology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals (NRCMA), Pasteur Institute, UMR2000, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Fanny Lanternier
- University of Paris, Necker-Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France; (O.P.); (O.L.)
- Molecular Mycology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals (NRCMA), Pasteur Institute, UMR2000, 75015 Paris, France;
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Ergin Ç, Şengül M, Aksoy L, Döğen A, Sun S, Averette AF, Cuomo CA, Seyedmousavi S, Heitman J, Ilkit M. Cryptococcus neoformans Recovered From Olive Trees ( Olea europaea) in Turkey Reveal Allopatry With African and South American Lineages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:384. [PMID: 31788454 PMCID: PMC6856141 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus species are life-threatening human fungal pathogens that cause cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in both immunocompromised and healthy hosts. The natural environmental niches of Cryptococcus include pigeon (Columba livia) guano, soil, and a variety of tree species such as Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ceratonia siliqua, Platanus orientalis, and Pinus spp. Genetic and genomic studies of extensive sample collections have provided insights into the population distribution and composition of different Cryptococcus species in geographic regions around the world. However, few such studies examined Cryptococcus in Turkey. We sampled 388 Olea europaea (olive) and 132 E. camaldulensis trees from seven locations in coastal and inland areas of the Aegean region of Anatolian Turkey in September 2016 to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity present in the natural Cryptococcus population. We isolated 84 Cryptococcus neoformans strains (83 MATα and 1 MAT a) and 3 Cryptococcus deneoformans strains (all MATα) from 87 (22.4% of surveyed) O. europaea trees; a total of 32 C. neoformans strains were isolated from 32 (24.2%) of the E. camaldulensis trees, all of which were MATα. A statistically significant difference was observed in the frequency of C. neoformans isolation between coastal and inland areas (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the MAT a C. neoformans isolate was fertile in laboratory crosses with VNI and VNB MATα tester strains and produced robust hyphae, basidia, and basidiospores, thus suggesting potential sexual reproduction in the natural population. Sequencing analyses of the URA5 gene identified at least five different genotypes among the isolates. Population genetics and genomic analyses revealed that most of the isolates in Turkey belong to the VNBII lineage of C. neoformans, which is predominantly found in southern Africa; these isolates are part of a distinct minor clade within VNBII that includes several isolates from Zambia and Brazil. Our study provides insights into the geographic distribution of different C. neoformans lineages in the Mediterranean region and highlights the need for wider geographic sampling to gain a better understanding of the natural habitats, migration, epidemiology, and evolution of this important human fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağri Ergin
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Şengül
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Levent Aksoy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Aylin Döğen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mersin, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anna F Averette
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Seyedmojtaba Seyedmousavi
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
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Nnadi NE, Giosa D, Ayanbimpe GM, D'Alessandro E, Aiese Cigliano R, Oheri CU, Aguiyi JC, Enweani IB, Romeo O. Whole-Genome Sequencing of an Uncommon Cryptococcus neoformans MLST43 Genotype Isolated in Nigeria. Mycopathologia 2019; 184:555-557. [PMID: 31473911 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a human infection caused mainly by two species of the Cryptococcus genus, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, whose populations contain several phylogenetically related haploid (VN/VG-types) and hybrid genotypes. Here, we report the whole-genome sequencing of a Nigerian C. neoformans VNII, Mat-α, strain with a rare multilocus-sequence-type (MLST) genotype (ST43).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nnaemeka Emmanuel Nnadi
- Department of Microbiology, Plateau State University, Plateau State, P.M.B 2012, Bokkos, Nigeria
| | - Domenico Giosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Christian Uchechukwu Oheri
- African Centre of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research and Development (ACEPRD), University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
| | - John Chinyereze Aguiyi
- African Centre of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research and Development (ACEPRD), University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Ifeoma Bessie Enweani
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres, 98166, Messina, Italy.
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Firacative C, Torres G, Meyer W, Escandón P. Clonal Dispersal of Cryptococcus gattii VGII in an Endemic Region of Cryptococcosis in Colombia. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5020032. [PMID: 30991682 PMCID: PMC6616963 DOI: 10.3390/jof5020032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study characterized the genotype and phenotype of Cryptococcus gattii VGII isolates from Cucuta, an endemic region of cryptococcal disease in Colombia, and compared these traits with those from representative isolates from the Vancouver Island outbreak (VGIIa and VGIIb). Genetic diversity was assessed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis. Phenotypic characteristics, including growth capacity under different temperature and humidity conditions, macroscopic and microscopic morphology, phenotypic switching, mating type, and activity of extracellular enzymes were studied. Virulence was studied in vivo in a mouse model. MLST analysis showed that the isolates from Cucuta were highly clonal, with ST25 being the most common genotype. Phenotypically, isolates from Cucuta showed large cell and capsular sizes, and shared phenotypic traits and enzymatic activities among them. The mating type a prevailed among the isolates, which were fertile and of considerable virulence in the animal model. This study highlights the need for a continuous surveillance of C. gattii in Colombia, especially in endemic areas like Cucuta, where the highest number of cryptococcosis cases due to this species is reported. This will allow the early detection of potentially highly virulent strains that spread clonally, and can help prevent the occurrence of outbreaks in Colombia and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia.
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital (Research and Education Network), Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Germán Torres
- Microbiology Group, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogota 11321, Colombia.
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital (Research and Education Network), Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Microbiology Group, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogota 11321, Colombia.
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Acheson ES, Galanis E, Bartlett K, Mak S, Klinkenberg B. Searching for clues for eighteen years: Deciphering the ecological determinants of Cryptococcus gattii on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Med Mycol 2018; 56:129-144. [PMID: 28525610 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii emerged on Vancouver Island in 1999 for unknown reasons, causing human and animal fatalities and illness. The apparent emergence of this fungus in another temperate area, this time in the Pacific Northwest, suggests the fungus may have expanded its ecological niche. Yet studies that directly examine the potential roles of climatic and land use changes on C. gattii are still lacking. We aim to summarize the existing global literature on the ecology of C. gattii, with particular focus on the gap in knowledge surrounding the potential effects of climatic and land use changes. We systematically reviewed English peer-reviewed literature on the ecological determinants of C. gattii. We included studies published from January 1970 through June 2016 and identified 56 relevant studies for our review. We identified environmental isolations of C. gattii from 18 countries, spanning 72 separate regions across six continents. Fifty-three tree species were associated with C. gattii, spanning 10 climate classifications and 36 terrestrial ecoregions. No studies directly tested the potential effects of climatic changes (including climatic oscillations and global climate change) on C. gattii, while only one study directly assessed those of land use change. To improve model predictions of current and future distributions of C. gattii, more focus is needed on the potential effects of climatic and land use changes to help decrease the public health risk. The apparent emergence of C. gattii in British Columbia is also an opportunity to explore the factors behind emerging infectious diseases in Canada and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Sohanna Acheson
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z2
| | - Eleni Galanis
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 4R4.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Karen Bartlett
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Sunny Mak
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 4R4
| | - Brian Klinkenberg
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z2
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Pakshir K, Fakhim H, Vaezi A, Meis JF, Mahmoodi M, Zomorodian K, Javidnia J, Ansari S, Hagen F, Badali H. Molecular epidemiology of environmental Cryptococcus species isolates based on amplified fragment length polymorphism. J Mycol Med 2018; 28:599-605. [PMID: 30322827 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cryptococcosis is a major opportunistic fungal infection caused by members of the genus Cryptococcus, mainly those belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. Here, we report a comprehensive molecular epidemiological study of the environmental distribution of Cryptococcus isolates in Shiraz, Iran with review of litreature. METHOD A total of 406 samples were obtained from Eucalyptus trees and 139 samples from pigeon droppings. Cryptococcus species identification and genotyping were performed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting sequencing and sequencing of the ITS rDNA region. RESULTS Majority of the isolates belonged to the Naganishia taxon (n=69) including N. albida (formerly C. albidus, n=62), N. globosa (formerly C. saitoi, n=4), N. adeliensis (formerly C. adeliensis, n=2), N. diffluens (formerly C. diffluens, n=1), and the identified C. neoformans isolates (n=25) belonged to genotype AFLP1/VNI (n=22) and AFLP1B/VNII (n=3). CONCLUSION More research efforts should be employed to isolate C. gattii species complex from environmental niches in Iran and provide additional evidence related to novel molecular types.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Pakshir
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - H Fakhim
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - A Vaezi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - J F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Mahmoodi
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - K Zomorodian
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - J Javidnia
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - S Ansari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - F Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H Badali
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Invasive Fungi Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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Montagna MT, De Donno A, Caggiano G, Serio F, De Giglio O, Bagordo F, D'Amicis R, Lockhart SR, Cogliati M. Molecular characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii from environmental sources and genetic comparison with clinical isolates in Apulia, Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 160:347-352. [PMID: 29054089 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the environmental distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complex molecular types, mating types and sequence types in Apulia, a region of Southern Italy. A total of 2078 specimens from arboreal and animal sources were analyzed. The percentage of positive samples was similar among both arboreal and animal specimens: 4.2% vs. 5.1% for C. neoformans species complex and 0.6% vs. 1.4% for C. gattii species complex. Molecular typing identified 78 isolates as VNI (76 αA and two aA), one as AD-hybrid αADa, and 16 as VGI aB. VNI isolates presented 10 different sequence types (STs) and VGI isolates two. The most frequent STs among C. neoformans and C. gattii species complex isolates were ST23 (51%) and ST156 (90%), respectively. Comparison with molecular types and STs results obtained from 21 clinical isolates collected in Apulia showed that one C. neoformans VNI clinical isolate shared an identical sequence type of one arboreal isolate (ST61) and that one C. gattii VGI clinical isolate matched with the main ST (ST156) present in the environment. In addition, molecular type VNIV was found only among clinical isolates and was absent in the investigated environmental area. In conclusion, the present study identified which C. neoformans and C. gattii species complex genotypes are circulating in Apulia, defined their ecological niches and revealed the relationship with clinical cases. It represents a basal study for addressing future investigations and public health interventions in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella De Donno
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Caggiano
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesca Serio
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Osvalda De Giglio
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Bagordo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - R D'Amicis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Shawn R Lockhart
- Fungal Reference Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Nnadi N, Enweani I, Cogliati M, Ayanbimpe G, Okolo M, Kim E, Sabitu M, Criseo G, Romeo O, Scordino F. Molecular characterization of environmental Cryptococcus neoformans VNII isolates in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. J Mycol Med 2016; 26:306-311. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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11
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Cogliati M, D'Amicis R, Zani A, Montagna MT, Caggiano G, De Giglio O, Balbino S, De Donno A, Serio F, Susever S, Ergin C, Velegraki A, Ellabib MS, Nardoni S, Macci C, Oliveri S, Trovato L, Dipineto L, Rickerts V, McCormick-Smith I, Akcaglar S, Tore O, Mlinaric-Missoni E, Bertout S, Mallié M, Martins MDL, Vencà ACF, Vieira ML, Sampaio AC, Pereira C, Criseo G, Romeo O, Ranque S, Al-Yasiri MHY, Kaya M, Cerikcioglu N, Marchese A, Vezzulli L, Ilkit M, Desnos-Ollivier M, Pasquale V, Korem M, Polacheck I, Scopa A, Meyer W, Ferreira-Paim K, Hagen F, Theelen B, Boekhout T, Lockhart SR, Tintelnot K, Tortorano AM, Dromer F, Varma A, Kwon-Chung KJ, Inácio J, Alonso B, Colom MF. Environmental distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii around the Mediterranean basin. FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow045. [PMID: 27188887 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to elucidate the distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii in the Mediterranean basin, an extensive environmental survey was carried out during 2012-2015. A total of 302 sites located in 12 countries were sampled, 6436 samples from 3765 trees were collected and 5% of trees were found to be colonized by cryptococcal yeasts. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from 177 trees and C. gattii from 13. Cryptococcus neoformans colonized 27% of Ceratonia, 10% of Olea, Platanus and Prunus trees and a lower percentage of other tree genera. The 13 C. gattii isolates were collected from five Eucalyptus, four Ceratonia, two Pinus and two Olea trees. Cryptococcus neoformans was distributed all around the Mediterranean basin, whereas C. gattii was isolated in Greece, Southern Italy and Spain, in agreement with previous findings from both clinical and environmental sources. Among C. neoformans isolates, VNI was the prevalent molecular type but VNII, VNIV and VNIII hybrid strains were also isolated. With the exception of a single VGIV isolate, all C. gattii isolates were VGI. The results confirmed the presence of both Cryptococcus species in the Mediterranean environment, and showed that both carob and olive trees represent an important niche for these yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Cogliati
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta D'Amicis
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Zani
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Montagna
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Caggiano
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Osvalda De Giglio
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stella Balbino
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella De Donno
- Dip. di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Francesca Serio
- Dip. di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Serdar Susever
- Dept. of Nutrition and Dietetics, Cyprus Near East University, Near East Boulevard, 99138 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Cagri Ergin
- Medical School, Pamukkale University, Kliniki Kampusu, 20160 Denizli, Turkey
| | - Aristea Velegraki
- Medical School National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Mohamed S Ellabib
- Medical College, University of Tripoli, Tripoli University Road, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Simona Nardoni
- Dip. Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Macci
- Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi (ISE), National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliveri
- Dip. di Scienze Microbiologiche e Scienze Ginecologiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Laura Trovato
- Dip. di Scienze Microbiologiche e Scienze Ginecologiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Ludovico Dipineto
- Dip. di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, University of Napoli Federico II, C.so Umberto I 40, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Volker Rickerts
- Dept. of Infeciuos Diseases, Robert-Koch Institute, D-13302 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Sevim Akcaglar
- School of Medicine, Uludag University, Gorukle Kampusu, 16059 Bursa, Turkey
| | - Okan Tore
- School of Medicine, Uludag University, Gorukle Kampusu, 16059 Bursa, Turkey
| | | | - Sebastien Bertout
- Unité Mixte Internationale 'Recherches Translationnelles sur l'infection à VIH et les Maladies Infectieuses', Université de Montpellier, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Michele Mallié
- Unité Mixte Internationale 'Recherches Translationnelles sur l'infection à VIH et les Maladies Infectieuses', Université de Montpellier, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Maria da Luz Martins
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana C F Vencà
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria L Vieira
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana C Sampaio
- CITAB, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Cheila Pereira
- CITAB, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Giuseppe Criseo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Stéphane Ranque
- IP-TPT Infections Parasitaires Transmission Pphysiopathologie et Therapeutiques, Aix-Marseille University, 27 Blv. Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Mohammed H Y Al-Yasiri
- IP-TPT Infections Parasitaires Transmission Pphysiopathologie et Therapeutiques, Aix-Marseille University, 27 Blv. Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Meltem Kaya
- School of Medicine, Marmara University, MÜ Göztepe Kampüsü, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nilgun Cerikcioglu
- School of Medicine, Marmara University, MÜ Göztepe Kampüsü, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Anna Marchese
- Sezione di Microbiologia del DISC, Università di Genova-IRCCS San Martino IST Genova, Largo Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Vezzulli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV), Università di Genova, C.so europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Dept. of Microbiology, University of Çukurova Sariçam, Çukurova Üniversitesi Rektörlüğü, 01330 Adana, Turkey
| | - Marie Desnos-Ollivier
- Institut Pasteur, CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Vincenzo Pasquale
- Dip. di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope, Via Amm. F. Acton 38, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maya Korem
- Div. of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Itzhack Polacheck
- Div. of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Antonio Scopa
- Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via Nazario Sauro 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, CIDM, MBI, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney/Westmead Millennium Institute, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, NSW 2145 Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, CIDM, MBI, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney/Westmead Millennium Institute, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, NSW 2145 Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Weg door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Theelen
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Boekhout
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shawn R Lockhart
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333 Atlanta, USA
| | - Kathrin Tintelnot
- Dept. of Infeciuos Diseases, Robert-Koch Institute, D-13302 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Tortorano
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Françoise Dromer
- Institut Pasteur, CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ashok Varma
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20892 Bethesda, USA
| | - Kyung J Kwon-Chung
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20892 Bethesda, USA
| | - Joäo Inácio
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, BN2 4GJ Brighton, UK
| | - Beatriz Alonso
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, BN2 4GJ Brighton, UK
| | - Maria F Colom
- Medical School, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida de la Universidad, 03202 Alicante, Spain
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Abulreesh HH, Organji SR, Elbanna K, Osman GEH, Almalki MHK, Abdel-Mallek AY. First report of environmental isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans and other fungi from pigeon droppings in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and in vitro susceptibility testing. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(15)60901-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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13
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Ferreira AS, Sampaio A, Maduro AP, Silva I, Teles F, Martins MDL, Inácio J. Genotypic diversity of environmentalCryptococcus neoformansisolates from Northern Portugal. Mycoses 2013; 57:98-104. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Ferreira
- Laboratório Nacional de Investigação Veterinária; Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária; Lisbon Portugal
- Microbiology Unit; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
| | - Ana Sampaio
- Departamento de Biologia e Ambiente; Centro de Investigação e de Tecnologias Agroambientais e Biológicas (CITAB); Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD); Vila Real Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Maduro
- Microbiology Unit; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
| | - Inês Silva
- Microbiology Unit; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
| | - Fernando Teles
- Microbiology Unit; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
- Centre for Malaria and Tropical Diseases; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
| | - Maria da Luz Martins
- Microbiology Unit; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia; Departamento de Ciências da Vida; Centro de Recursos Microbiológicos; Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisbon Portugal
| | - João Inácio
- Laboratório Nacional de Investigação Veterinária; Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária; Lisbon Portugal
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14
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Rapid differentiation of cryptic species within Cryptococcus gattii by a duplex PCR assay. J Clin Microbiol 2013; 51:3110-2. [PMID: 23824773 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01455-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii consists of four cryptic species, VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV. Herein, a duplex PCR assay using two primer pairs targeting the vacuolar membrane gene and the intergenic spacer region was developed. It successfully distinguished the cryptic species according to the distinct size of the amplicons.
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15
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Cogliati M, Zamfirova RR, Tortorano AM, Viviani MA. Molecular epidemiology of Italian clinical Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii isolates. Med Mycol 2013; 51:499-506. [PMID: 23286351 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2012.751642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans variety grubii is the major etiological agent of cryptococcal meningitis in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The current PCR-based molecular methods are not sufficient to discriminate among the different populations of this yeast. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the genotypes of the Italian clinical C. neoformans var. grubii isolates by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A total of 53 isolates, each representative of a single case, were studied. Genotyping was performed using the ISHAM Cryptococcus MLST consensus scheme and the results were compared to the publically available global C. neoformans var. grubii MLST dataset. A total of 16 genotypes were identified; 14 were new genotypes, one was identical to sequence type (ST) ST81, which had been previously reported from Thailand, and one to ST23 already identified in Uganda, the USA and Korea. Sequence type ST61 was the most numerous, including 16 isolates. Network phylogenetic analysis showed that the Italian isolates could be divided into at least three clusters with similarities with those recovered in Africa, Asia and Americas. Distribution of the STs among the isolates could not be correlated to the hospital in which they were recovered or to the HIV status of the patients. The majority of the isolates belonged to the molecular type VNI; three belonged to the rare molecular type VNII and one to the VNB group, which until now had not been described in Europe. The results reveal that the Italian C. neoformans var. grubii population presents a distinct variability, displaying a high number of new genotypes, and probably recombines sexually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Cogliati
- Lab. Micologia Medica, Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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16
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Cogliati M. Global Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii: An Atlas of the Molecular Types. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:675213. [PMID: 24278784 PMCID: PMC3820360 DOI: 10.1155/2013/675213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease affecting more than one million people per year worldwide. The main etiological agents of cryptococcosis are the two sibling species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii that present numerous differences in geographical distribution, ecological niches, epidemiology, pathobiology, clinical presentation and molecular characters. Genotyping of the two Cryptococcus species at subspecies level supplies relevant information to understand how this fungus has spread worldwide, the nature of its population structure, and how it evolved to be a deadly pathogen. At present, nine major molecular types have been recognized: VNI, VNII, VNB, VNIII, and VNIV among C. neoformans isolates, and VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV among C. gattii isolates. In this paper all the information available in the literature concerning the isolation of the two Cryptococcus species has been collected and analyzed on the basis of their geographical origin, source of isolation, level of identification, species, and molecular type. A detailed analysis of the geographical distribution of the major molecular types in each continent has been described and represented on thematic maps. This study represents a useful tool to start new epidemiological surveys on the basis of the present knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Cogliati
- Lab. Micologia Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
- *Massimo Cogliati:
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17
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Springer DJ, Phadke S, Billmyre B, Heitman J. Cryptococcus gattii, no longer an accidental pathogen? CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2012; 6:245-256. [PMID: 23243480 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-012-0111-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is an environmentally occurring pathogen that is responsible for causing cryptococcosis marked by pneumonia and meningoencephalitis in humans and animals. C. gattii can form long-term associations with trees and soil resulting in the production of infectious propagules (spores and desiccated yeast). The ever expanding reports of clinical and environmental isolation of C. gattii in temperate climates strongly imply C. gattii occurs world-wide. The key ability of yeast and spores to enter, survive, multiply, and exit host cells and to infect immunocompetent hosts distinguishes C. gattii as a primary pathogen and suggest evolution of C. gattii pathogenesis as a result of interaction with plants and other organisms in its environmental niche. Here we summarize the historical literature on C. gattii and recent literature supporting the world-wide occurrence of the primary pathogen C. gattii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Springer
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex in Southern Italy: An Overview on the Environmental Diffusion of Serotypes, Genotypes and Mating-Types. Mycopathologia 2012; 174:283-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-012-9547-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Aminnejad M, Diaz M, Arabatzis M, Castañeda E, Lazera M, Velegraki A, Marriott D, Sorrell TC, Meyer W. Identification of novel hybrids between Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii VNI and Cryptococcus gattii VGII. Mycopathologia 2011; 173:337-46. [PMID: 22081254 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-011-9491-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are pathogenic yeasts causing meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. The fungus is typically haploid, and sexual reproduction occurs normally between individuals with opposite mating types, α and a. C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) is comprised of molecular types VNI, VNII, and VNB, and C. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) contains the molecular type VNIV. Additionally, diploid or aneuploid AD hybrids (VNIII) have been reported. C. gattii contains the molecular types VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV, which encompass both serotypes B and C. To identify possible hybrid strains, URA5-RFLP analysis was performed on 350 globally obtained clinical, environmental, and veterinary isolates. Four clinical isolates from cerebrospinal fluid showed combination patterns of C. neoformans var. grubii and C. gattii: Brazil (n = 2), Colombia (n = 1), and India (n = 1). These strains were monokaryotic and diploid or aneuploid. M13 PCR fingerprinting showed that they contained fragments of both proposed parental groups. Luminex IGS genotyping identified these isolates as hybrids with two different molecular type combinations: three VNI/VGII and one VNI/VGI. Blue color development on CGB agar was delayed in three isolates and absent in one. C. gattii-specific PCR confirmed the presence of C. gattii in the hybrids. CAP59 allele-specific PCR revealed that all the hybrids contained both serotype A and B alleles. Determination of mating-type allelic patterns by PCR revealed that the isolates were αA aB. This is the first study discovering novel natural hybrids between C. neoformans molecular type VNI and C. gattii molecular type VGII.
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Iatta R, Hagen F, Fico C, Lopatriello N, Boekhout T, Montagna MT. Cryptococcus gattii Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient from Southern Italy. Mycopathologia 2011; 174:87-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-011-9493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Infections caused by the emerging pathogen Cryptococcus gattii are increasing in frequency in North America. During the past decade, interest in the pathogen has continued to grow, not only in North America but also in other areas of the world where infections have recently been documented. This review synthesizes existing data and raises issues that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Harris
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, MS C-09, Atlanta, GA 30309 USA.
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