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Serna-Espinosa BN, Forero-Castro M, Morales-Puentes ME, Parra-Giraldo CM, Escandón P, Sánchez-Quitian ZA. First report of environmental isolation of Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from Boyacá, Colombia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15755. [PMID: 37735454 PMCID: PMC10514045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cryptococcus genus comprises more than 100 species, of which C. neoformans and C. gattii are the leading cause of cryptococcosis. The distribution of C. gattii and C. neoformans species complexes has been extensively studied and widely reported globally. Other species such as Naganishia albida, Papiliotrema laurentii, and Papiliotrema flavescens have been reported as pathogenic yeasts. Since there are no reports of environmental isolation in the Boyacá region (Colombia), this study aimed to isolate and characterize Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from pigeon feces, Eucalyptus, and olive trees distributed in the municipalities of Tunja and Ricaute Alto. The environmental data was recovered, and the isolations obtained were identified by microscopy, biochemical test, MALDI-TOF MS, URA5-RFLP, and sequencing of the ITS and LSU loci. For the 93 pigeon dropping samples collected in Tunja, 23 yielded to C. neoformans, 3 to N. globosa, 2 N. albida and 1 to P. laurentii. Of the 1188 samples collected from olive trees, 17 (1.43%) positive samples were identified as C. gattii species complex (4), C. neoformans species complex (2), P. laurentii (3), N. albida (2), N. globosa (5) and P. flavescens (1). Likewise, specimens of C. neoformans presented molecular type VNI and molecular type VNII; for C. gattii the molecular types found were VGIII and one VGIV by URA5-RFLP but VGIII by MALDI-TOF and sequencing of the ITS and LSU. Therefore, it can be concluded that the species of Cryptococcus, Naganishia and Papiliotrema genera, are present in the environment of Boyacá, and show a predilection for climate conditions that are typical of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briggith-Nathalia Serna-Espinosa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Maribel Forero-Castro
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - María Eugenia Morales-Puentes
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Marcela Parra-Giraldo
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Calle 26 # 51-20, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Zilpa Adriana Sánchez-Quitian
- Grupo de Investigación Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Departamento de Biología y Microbiología, Universidad de Boyacá, Carrera 2ª Este No. 64-169, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
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2
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Alves PGV, de Paula Menezes R, de Oliveira Brito M, de Oliveira Faria G, Silva NBS, Cruvinel RS, Penatti MPA, Dos Santos Pedroso R, de Brito Röder DVD. Cryptococcus liquefaciens isolated from the hand of a healthcare professional in a neonatal intensive care unit. Braz J Microbiol 2021; 52:2085-2089. [PMID: 34545554 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-021-00601-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are responsible for high morbidity and mortality in neonatal patients, especially in premature newborns. Infections in neonates caused by Cryptococcus spp. are rare, but it has occurred in an immunocompromised population. This study aims to describe the isolation of Cryptococcus liquefaciens from the hands of a health professional in a neonatal intensive care unit, and to evaluate the production of biofilm and virulence factors and susceptibility to antifungals. Antifungal susceptibility tests were performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute document M27-A3. Thermotolerance virulence factors and DNase, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolytic activities were verified through phenotypic tests; biofilm was evaluated by determining the metabolic activity and biomass. The isolate did not produce any of the tested enzymes and was susceptible to all antifungals (amphotericin B, fluconazole, and micafungin). The growth at 37 °C was very weak; however, the isolate showed a strong biomass production and low metabolic activity. This is the first report of C. liquefaciens isolated from the hands of a health professional. The isolate did not express any of the studied virulence factors in vitro, except for the low growth at 37 °C in the first 48 h, and the strong production of biofilm biomass. Cryptococcus liquefaciens can remain in the environment for a long time and is a human pathogen because it tolerates temperature variations. This report draws attention to the circulation of rare species in critical locations, information that may help in a fast and correct diagnosis and, consequently, implementation of an appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Guerino Vilela Alves
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Umuarama Campus, 111 Ave. Amazonas, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP 38400-902, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gabriel de Oliveira Faria
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Umuarama Campus, 111 Ave. Amazonas, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP 38400-902, Brazil.,Nurse in Neonatology, Hospital Santa Clara, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Renner Soares Cruvinel
- Institute of Biology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Reginaldo Dos Santos Pedroso
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Umuarama Campus, 111 Ave. Amazonas, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP 38400-902, Brazil. .,Technical School of Health, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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3
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Edwards HM, Cogliati M, Kwenda G, Fisher MC. The need for environmental surveillance to understand the ecology, epidemiology and impact of Cryptococcus infection in Africa. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6312494. [PMID: 34196370 PMCID: PMC8536938 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the pathogenic yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii has been greatly enhanced by use of genome sequencing technologies. Found ubiquitously as saprotrophs in the environment, inhalation of infectious spores from these pathogens can lead to the disease cryptococcosis. Individuals with compromised immune systems are at particular risk, most notably those living with HIV/AIDS. Genome sequencing in combination with laboratory and clinical studies has revealed diverse lineages with important differences in their observed frequency, virulence and clinical outcomes. However, to date, genomic analyses have focused primarily on clinical isolates that represent only a subset of the diversity in the environment. Enhanced genomic surveillance of these yeasts in their native environments is needed in order to understand their ecology, biology and evolution and how these influence the epidemiology and pathophysiology of clinical disease. This is particularly relevant on the African continent from where global cryptococcal diversity may have originated, yet where environmental sampling and sequencing has been sparse despite harbouring the largest population at risk from cryptococcosis. Here, we review what scientifically and clinically relevant insights have been provided by analysis of environmental Cryptococcus isolates to date and argue that with further sampling, particularly in Africa, many more important discoveries await.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Edwards
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Geoffrey Kwenda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Ridgeway Campus, PO Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
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4
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Mahboub HH, Tartor YH. Carvacrol essential oil stimulates growth performance, immune response, and tolerance of Nile tilapia to Cryptococcus uniguttulatus infection. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 141:1-14. [PMID: 32940246 DOI: 10.3354/dao03506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the antifungal activity of 5 essential oils (EOs) towards yeasts recovered from diseased fishes; and focused on the efficacy of one EO (carvacrol) on growth performance, non-specific immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus against Cryptococcus uniguttulatus challenge. Thymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, and cinnamon were first tested in vitro against 20 clinical yeast strains in comparison with antifungal drugs (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin, and clotrimazole) using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. For the in vivo challenge, fish (n = 150) were divided into 5 groups (carvacrol prophylaxis, carvacrol treatment, itraconazole treatment, unchallenged control, and positive control; 30 fish group-1) with 3 replicates. Phagocytic activity, reactive oxygen species production, reactive nitrogen species production, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme activity, and total immunoglobulins were tested before and after challenge. Relative percent survival (RPS) and mortality percent were determined as indicators for functional immunity. EOs displayed divergent degrees of antifungal activity, and carvacrol was the most effective against the tested yeasts. The dietary additive of carvacrol significantly enhanced growth performance, all immunological parameters, and the RPS values (90%) compared to other treatments. This unique experimental model indicates that carvacrol seems promising not only for enhancing immunity and promoting fish growth, but also for controlling emerging fungal infections. Future studies should investigate different concentrations of carvacrol as well as its antifungal activity in different fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba H Mahboub
- Fish Diseases and Management Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt
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Simi WB, Leite-Jr DP, Paula CR, Hoffmann-Santos HD, Takahara DT, Hahn RC. Yeasts and filamentous fungi in psittacidae and birds of prey droppings in midwest region of Brazil: a potential hazard to human health. BRAZ J BIOL 2018; 79:414-422. [PMID: 30304251 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.181192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds of prey and from Psittacidae family are host to fungal microbiota and play an important role in the epidemiology of zoonoses. Few studies in the literature have characterized mycelial and yeast fungi in the droppings of these birds and correlated the isolates with the zoonotic potential of the microorganisms. Droppings from 149 birds were evaluated and divided into two groups: captive: Rhea americana araneipes, Primolius maracana, Ara ararauna, Ara chloropterus, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Amazona aestiva, Ara macao macao, Ramphastos toco, Sarcoramphus papa, Busarellus nigricollis, Bubo virginianus nacurutu, Buteogallus coronatus, Buteogallus urubitinga urubitinga, Spizaetus melanoleucus, Spizaetus ornatus ornatus, Buteo albonotatus, Geranoaetus albicaudatus albicaudatus, Rupornis magnirostris magnirostris and Harpia harpyja, and quarantined birds: Amazona aestiva and Eupsitulla aurea. The fungal isolates were identified according to macroscopic (gross colony appearance), micromorphological and biochemical characteristics. Among birds displayed in enclosures, Aspergillus niger (41.1%) and Candida kefyr (63.8%) were the fungi most frequently isolated in Harpia harpyja and Ramphastos toco, respectively. For quarantined birds, the following percentages were observed in Eupsittula aurea , (76.6%) C. krusei, (84.4%) C. kefyr and (15.2%) C. famata, while in Amazona aestiva, (76.2%) C. krusei was observed. These findings indicate potentially pathogenic species in the bird droppings assessed, which constitute a risk of exposure for keepers and individuals who visit the zoo. Birds of the Cerrado and Pantanal of Mato Grosso (Central Western region of Brazil) could act in the epidemiological chain of important zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- W B Simi
- Faculdade de Medicina, Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Centro Universitário de Várzea Grande - UNIVAG, Av. Dom Orlando Chaves, nº 2655, CEP 78118-900, Várzea Grande, MT, Brasil
| | - D P Leite-Jr
- Faculdade de Medicina, Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Centro Universitário de Várzea Grande - UNIVAG, Av. Dom Orlando Chaves, nº 2655, CEP 78118-900, Várzea Grande, MT, Brasil.,Centro Especializado em Micologia Médica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernanda Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - C R Paula
- Laboratório de Leveduras Patogênicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, nº 1374, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - H D Hoffmann-Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Centro Universitário de Várzea Grande - UNIVAG, Av. Dom Orlando Chaves, nº 2655, CEP 78118-900, Várzea Grande, MT, Brasil
| | - D T Takahara
- Centro Especializado em Micologia Médica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernanda Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,MT Laboratório, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Mato Grosso, Rua Thogo da Silva Pereira, nº 63, CEP 18020-500, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - R C Hahn
- Faculdade de Medicina, Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Centro Especializado em Micologia Médica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Av. Fernanda Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
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Castro e Silva DDM, Santos DCS, Pukinskas SRBS, Oshida JTU, Oliveira L, Carvallho AF, Melhem MSC. A new culture medium for recovering the agents of Cryptococcosis from environmental sources. Braz J Microbiol 2015; 46:355-8. [PMID: 26273249 PMCID: PMC4507526 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838246220130726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The isolation of Cryptococcosis agents from environmental samples may be difficult due to the presence of groups of fast-growing fungi. We propose a new culture medium based on a modification of Dichloran Rose-Bengal Chloramphenicol Medium (DRBCm) to detect colonies of Cryptococcus neoformans. Our results indicate that DRBCm is superior to the classical Bird Seed Agar in its ability to detect colonies of C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulcilena de Matos Castro e Silva
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Dayane C S Santos
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandra R B S Pukinskas
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia T U Oshida
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lidiane Oliveira
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anderson F Carvallho
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia S C Melhem
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretaria da Saúde, Governo do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Danesi P, Furnari C, Granato A, Schivo A, Otranto D, Capelli G, Cafarchia C. Molecular identity and prevalence of Cryptococcus spp. nasal carriage in asymptomatic feral cats in Italy. Med Mycol 2014; 52:667-73. [PMID: 25082953 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myu030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal disease that infects humans and animals worldwide. Inhalation of fungal particles from an environmental source can cause primary infection of the respiratory system. As animals can be considered a sentinel for human diseases, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and molecular identity of Cryptococcus spp. in the nasal cavity of feral cats. Cats from 162 urban and rural feral cat colonies were sampled over 3 years. Of 766 cats from which nasal swabs were obtained, Cryptococcus spp. were recovered from 95 (12.6%), including 37 C. magnus (4.8%), 16 C. albidus (2.0%), 15 C. carnescens (1.9%), 12 C. neoformans (1.6%), as well as C. oeirensis (n = 3), C. victoriae (n = 3), C. albidosimilis (n = 2), Filobasidium globisporum (n = 2), C. adeliensis (n = 1), C. flavescens (n = 1), C. dimnae (n = 1), C. saitoi (n = 1), and C. wieringae (n = 1) with prevalence <1%. Thirteen Cryptococcus species were identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer amplicons. Statistical analysis did not identify any predisposing factors that contributed to nasal colonization (eg, sex, age, season, or habitat). Results suggest that asymptomatic feral cats may carry C. neoformans and other Cryptococcus species in their sinonasal cavity. Genotyping of the specific cryptococcal isolates provides a better understanding of the epidemiology of these yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, Padua, Italy Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov.le per Casamassima Km, 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmelo Furnari
- Veterinary regional district service ULSS 20, Local Public Health and Social Authority of Veneto Region, Via di Campo Marzo 20, 37133, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Granato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Alice Schivo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov.le per Casamassima Km, 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov.le per Casamassima Km, 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Danesi P, Firacative C, Cogliati M, Otranto D, Capelli G, Meyer W. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and M13 PCR fingerprinting revealed heterogeneity amongstCryptococcusspecies obtained from Italian veterinary isolates. FEMS Yeast Res 2014; 14:897-909. [DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Legnaro Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity; The University of Sydney; Westmead Millennium Institute; Sydney NSW Australia
- Grupo de Microbiología; Instituto Nacional de Salud; Bogotá Colombia
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Laboratorio di Micologia Medica; Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva; University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Legnaro Italy
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity; The University of Sydney; Westmead Millennium Institute; Sydney NSW Australia
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9
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Dos Santos Pedroso R, Ferreira JC, da Costa KRC, Candido RC. Comparison of primers for RAPD-PCR from environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii complex. Braz J Microbiol 2012; 43:951-8. [PMID: 24031912 PMCID: PMC3768887 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838220120003000015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Revised: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Various organisms have been characterized by molecular methods, including fungi of the genus Cryptococcus. The purposes of this study were: to determine the discriminatory potential of the RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) primers, the pattern of similarity of the Cryptococcus species, and discuss their useful application in epidemiological studies. We analyzed 10 isolates of each specie/group: C. albidus, C. laurentii complex, C. neoformans var. grubii, all from environmental source, and two ATCC strains, C. neoformans var. grubii ATCC 90112, and C. neoformans var. neoformans ATCC 28957 by RAPD-PCR using the primers CAV1, CAV2, ZAP19, ZAP20, OPB11 and SEQ6. The primers showed a good discriminatory power, revealing important differences between them and between species; the SEQ6 primer discriminated a larger number of isolates of three species. Isolates of C. laurentii showed greater genetic diversity than other species revealed by all six primers. Isolates of C. neoformans were more homogeneous. Only the primer CAV2 showed no amplification of DNA bands for C. albidus. It was concluded that the use of limited number of carefully selected primers allowed the discrimination of different isolates, and some primers (e.g., CAV2 for C. albidus) may not to be applied to some species.
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Illnait-Zaragozí MT, Martínez-Machín GF, Fernández-Andreu CM, Perurena-Lancha MR, Theelen B, Boekhout T, Meis JF, Klaassen CH. Environmental isolation and characterisation of Cryptococcus species from living trees in Havana city, Cuba. Mycoses 2012; 55:e138-44. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2012.02168.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Pedroso RS, Lavrador MA, Ferreira JC, Candido RC, Maffei CM. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii - Pathogenicity of environmental isolates correlated to virulence factors, susceptibility to fluconazole and molecular profile. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2011; 105:993-1000. [PMID: 21225196 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000800008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans is heterogeneous and is associated with the expression of virulence factors. This study aimed to correlate the pathogenicity of C. neoformans var. grubii in BALB/c mice with in vitro virulence factors, fluconazole minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and molecular profiles, before and after animal passage. Ten environmental isolates and one ATCC strain of C. neoformans var. grubii mating type α were evaluated. Most isolates (91%) killed 50% or more of the infected animals by day 24 postinfection and were recovered from the lungs and brains of surviving animals on days 7 and 14 postinfection. The burden of yeast in the lungs was more variable than that in the brain. The differences in the expression of virulence factors (growth at 37ºC, presence and size of the capsule and production of melanin, urease, proteinase and phospholipase) by most isolates pre and postpassage in animals were not statistically significant. The fluconazole MICs in postpassaged lines differed by a one-dilution from the MIC of the corresponding prepassaged line for six isolates. Using molecular typing [polymerase chain reaction-fingerprinting with (GACA)4 and M13], eight isolates were identified as VNI and three as VNII. We concluded that different isolates with the same molecular and phenotypic profiles, including isolates that are markedly hypervirulent, span a wide range of virulence and there were no changes in virulence factors in the postpassaged lines when compared with the corresponding nonpassaged lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo S Pedroso
- Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brasil, 38400-902.
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Chryssanthou E, Wennberg H, Bonnedahl J, Olsen B. Occurrence of yeasts in faecal samples from Antarctic and South American seabirds. Mycoses 2011; 54:e811-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2011.02031.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Hedayati MT, Mayahi S, Fakhar M, Shokohi T, Majidi M. Cryptococcus neoformans isolation from swallow (Hirundo rustica) excreta in Iran. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2011; 53:125-7. [DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652011000300002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that can cause cryptococcosis, a life-threatening infection that mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients. The major environmental sources of C. neoformans have been shown to be soil contaminated with avian droppings. In the present study, we evaluated the isolation of C. neoformans from swallow (Hirundo rustica) excreta in two northern cities of Iran. Ninety-seven swallow droppings were evaluated and 498 yeast-like colonies were isolated and identified as Rhodotorula spp. (62.8%), Candida spp. (28.5%)and C. neoformans (8.7%). Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from 5/97 (5.2%) of collected samples. Min-Max colony forming units (CFU) per one gram for the positive samples were 3-10 C. neoformans colonies. The total mean CFU per one gram for the positive samples was 4.8. The results of this study demonstrate that excreta of swallow may harbor different species of potentially pathogenic yeasts, mainly C. neoformans, and may be capable of disseminating these fungi in the environment.
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Jang Y, Lee S, Lee J, Chae H, Kim S, Choe N. Prevalence of yeast-like fungi and evaluation of several virulence factors from feral pigeons in Seoul, Korea. Lett Appl Microbiol 2011; 52:367-71. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2011.03009.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Ferreira-Paim K, Andrade-Silva L, Mora DJ, Pedrosa AL, Rodrigues V, Silva-Vergara ML. Genotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from captive birds in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mycoses 2010; 54:e294-300. [PMID: 20492533 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2010.01901.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate Cryptococcus spp. molecular types isolated from captive birds' droppings, an epidemiological survey was carried out in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from December 2006 to September 2008. A total of 253 samples of bird excreta (120 fresh and 133 dry) were collected from pet shop cages and houses in different neighbourhoods. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated in 19 (14.28%) dry samples and one fresh sample (0.84%). Cryptococcus laurentii was recovered from seven (5.26%) dry samples, but not in the fresh samples. The canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue test was positive in all but one of the C. laurentii isolates. Cryptococcus neoformans molecular typing was performed using URA5-RFLP and the mating type locus using mating type specific PCR. Nineteen (95.0%) presented genotype VNI and one VNII (5.0%). In addition, all isolates presented mating type α. Thus, the genotype of the environmental C. neoformans isolates observed in this study is in accordance with others already reported around the world and adds information about its distribution in Brazil. Cryptococcus laurentii strains were typed using URA5-RFLP and M13 fingerprinting, which showed similar profiles among them. Thus, despite the low number of C. laurentii isolates analysed, their molecular profile is different from another already reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Disciplina de Doenças Infecciosas Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Molecular characterization and evaluation of virulence factors of Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from external hospital areas. Fungal Biol 2010; 114:438-45. [PMID: 20943154 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2010.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Revised: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a common opportunistic fungal infection that is mainly caused by the species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, but there have recently been several reports of infection by non-neoformans Cryptococcus species. The aims of this study were to genetically characterize Cryptococcus spp. isolated from external hospital areas in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, and to evaluate their pathogenic potential, analyzing their phospholipase and melanin production and the capacity for capsule enlargement. Seventy-three different samples were collected: 62 from bird droppings and 11 from tree detritus. C. neoformans alone was isolated from 43.8% of the samples, Cryptococcus laurentii alone from 23.3% and both fungi were found together in 10.9%. C. laurentii was exclusively isolated from 45% (5/11) of the tree samples (Anacardium occidentale, Guazuma ulmifolia, Mangifera indica and Ficus benjamina). Among the 51 C. neoformans isolates, 47 were classified as type VNI and four as type VNII. All of the C. neoformans isolates were of MATα type. Among the 21 isolates of C. laurentii genotyped using the URA5-RFLP technique, 16 amplified a 1.6kb amplicon which produced a specific restriction profile in 15 isolates. In C. neoformans, 76.4% of the isolates were capable of capsule enlargement in the induction medium and 92.1% were phospholipase producers. In C. laurentii, 7.4% of the isolates were capable of capsule enlargement and 85.1% were phospholipase producers. Characterization of the genotypes and the pathogenic potential of the Cryptococcus spp. isolates studied may contribute towards better understanding of the epidemiology of cryptococcosis and the ecology of agents causing this disease in our region.
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Evaluation of the experimental inoculation of Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii in normal mice: virulence factors and molecular profile before and after animal passage. Mycopathologia 2009; 168:59-72. [PMID: 19363657 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-009-9202-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The genus Cryptococcus includes free-developing species, a few of which are of medical importance. Some, such as C. neoformans and C. gattii, cause infections in man frequently and C. albidus and C. laurentii cause less so. The aims of this study were to evaluate organ colonization after inoculation of C. albidus and C. laurentii isolates in normal BALB/c mice, the virulence factors (growth at 37 degrees C, capsule, melanin, proteinase, and phospholipase production) and the molecular profile (PCR-fingerprinting) of the yeasts before and after infection. The importance of different profiles (virulence and molecular) was considered in relation to the distribution in different organs and to the time intervals of isolation from organs. C. albidus was isolated from animal organs 2 to 10 days after inoculation and C. laurentii from 2 to 120 days. Most isolates of the two species kept the virulence factors showed before inoculation. The high homogeneity of the molecular profile of C. albidus and the high heterogeneity of C. laurentii were kept through the passages in animals. It is concluded that most isolates of both species were recovered from the animal organs after 5 or more days, and phenotypes were not altered by inoculation. No molecular alteration was detected and the virulence factors were not related to the time intervals before isolation from organs.
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