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Omura M, Satoh K, Tamura T, Komori A, Makimura K. Molecular epidemiological investigation of Cryptococcus spp. carried by captive koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus) in Japan. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0290323. [PMID: 38411053 PMCID: PMC11210188 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02903-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii cause cryptococcosis, a systemic mycosis that infects a wide range of species. Recent molecular biological investigations have allowed for the genotyping of these species, providing more detailed information on their pathogenicity and infection routes. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are frequently colonized by Cryptococcus spp., but molecular epidemiological studies have yet to be conducted in Japan. Here, we conducted multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis on Cryptococcus spp. colonization isolates obtained from all koalas kept in seven parks across Japan. Out of 46 koalas examined, 10 (22%) were positive for C. gattii and 3 (6.5%) were positive for C. neoformans. All C. gattii isolates belonged to molecular type VGI and were either sequence type (ST) 51 or a novel ST, and all C. neoformans isolates belonged to molecular type VNI and ST23. Despite the frequent movement of koalas between parks, the STs were relatively park-specific, suggesting that the floor of the rearing barns is a source of infection and may act as a reservoir. MLST analysis confirmed that C. gattii was transported, established, and spread by koalas in areas where C. gattii was not originally present. MLST analysis is considered useful in assessing the pathogenicity and tracing the transmission routes of Cryptococcus spp. carried by koalas.IMPORTANCEThis is the first study to conduct a multi-locus sequence typing analysis on Cryptococcus spp. carried by captive koalas in Japan. Cryptococcosis remains a globally high-fatality fungal infection in humans, and captive koalas are known to carry a high percentage of Cryptococcus spp. Through this research, the molecular types and transmission routes of Cryptococcus spp. carried by koalas have been elucidated, revealing the potential role of enclosure flooring as a reservoir. It has been confirmed that Cryptococcus gattii, which is not endemic in Japan, has become established through koalas and is spreading to new individuals in Japan. This study is believed to provide valuable insights into koala conservation and contribute to the One Health approach for Cryptococcosis, a zoonotic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miki Omura
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Satoh
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Tamura
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Komori
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
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Cogliati M, Chidebelu PE, Hitchcock M, Chen M, Rickerts V, Ackermann S, Desnos Ollivier M, Inácio J, Nawrot U, Florek M, Kwon-Chung KJ, Yang DH, Firacative C, Puime CA, Escandon P, Bertout S, Roger F, Xu J. Multi-locus sequence typing and phylogenetics of Cryptococcus neoformans AD hybrids. Fungal Genet Biol 2024; 170:103861. [PMID: 38128716 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid AD strains of the human pathogenic Cryptococcus neoformans species complex have been reported from many parts of the world. However, their origin, diversity, and evolution are incompletely understood. In this study, we analyzed 102 AD hybrid strains representing 21 countries on five continents. For each strain, we obtained its mating type and its allelic sequences at each of the seven loci that have been used for genotyping haploid serotypes A and D strains of the species complex by the Cryptococcus research community. Our results showed that most AD hybrids exhibited loss of heterozygosity at one or more of the seven analyzed loci. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of the allelic sequences revealed multiple origins of the hybrids within each continent, dating back to one million years ago in Africa and up to the present in other continents. We found evidence for clonal reproduction and long-distance dispersal of these hybrids in nature. Comparisons with the global haploid serotypes A and D strains identified new alleles and new haploid multi-locus genotypes in AD hybrids, consistent with the presence of yet-to-be discovered genetic diversity in haploid populations of this species complex in nature. Together, our results indicate that AD hybrids can be effectively genotyped using the same multi-locus sequencing type approach as that established for serotypes A and D strains. Our comparisons of the AD hybrids among each other as well as with the global haploid serotypes A and D strains revealed novel genetic diversity as well as evidence for multiple origins and dynamic evolution of these hybrids in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cogliati
- Lab. Medical Mycology, Dept. Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
| | - P E Chidebelu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - M Hitchcock
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, Chanzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - M Desnos Ollivier
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Paris, France
| | - J Inácio
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - U Nawrot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - M Florek
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - K J Kwon-Chung
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIH, Bethesda, USA
| | - D-H Yang
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIH, Bethesda, USA
| | - C Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - C A Puime
- Unidad de Parasitología y Micología, Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública, Ministerio de Salud Pública, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - P Escandon
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - S Bertout
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - F Roger
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - J Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Cogliati M, Patrizia P, Vincenzo C, Esposto MC, Prigitano A, Romanò L, Puccianti E. Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolates living in a tree micro-ecosystem. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Trovato L, Oliveri S, Esposto MC, Prigitano A, Romanò L, Cogliati M. Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex Isolates on the Slopes of Mount Etna, SICILY, Italy. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2390. [PMID: 31681242 PMCID: PMC6813189 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex isolates on olive trees growing in the Eastern part of Sicily (Italy) characterized by the presence of the volcano Etna and the ability of these fungal pathogens to sexually reproduce on medium containing volcanic soil. Samples from 124 olive trees were collected from 14 different sites around Mount Etna. Eighteen trees (14.5%) resulted colonized by C. neoformans VNI-αA isolates, one (0.8%) by VNIV-αD isolates, and two (1.6%) by C. gattii VGI-αB isolates. The ability of environmental and reference strains belonging to VNI, VNIV, and VGI molecular types to sexually reproduce on a medium containing volcanic soil was also tested. VNI and VNIV strains were able to produce filaments and basiodiospores more vigorously than on the control medium, whereas VGI strains were not fertile. In conclusion, the present study identified which C. neoformans and C. gattii species complex genotypes are circulating in Eastern Sicily and confirmed the ecological role of olive trees as environmental reservoir of these pathogens. It also showed that Cryptococcus is able to colonize and sexually reproduce in inhospitable environments such as the slopes of a volcano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trovato
- U.O.C. Laboratory Analysis Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliveri
- U.O.C. Laboratory Analysis Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Esposto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Prigitano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Romanò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Schmertmann LJ, Irinyi L, Malik R, Powell JR, Meyer W, Krockenberger MB. The mycobiome of Australian tree hollows in relation to the Cryptococcus gattii and C. neoformans species complexes. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9684-9700. [PMID: 31534685 PMCID: PMC6745847 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by members of the Cryptococcus gattii and C. neoformans species complexes. The C. gattii species complex has a strong environmental association with eucalypt hollows (particularly Eucalyptus camaldulensis), which may present a source of infection. It remains unclear whether a specific mycobiome is required to support its environmental survival and growth. Conventional detection of environmental Cryptococcus spp. involves culture on differential media, such as Guizotia abyssinica seed agar. Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based culture-independent identification aids in contextualising these species in the environmental mycobiome. Samples from 23 Australian tree hollows were subjected to both culture- and amplicon-based metagenomic analysis to characterize the mycobiome and assess relationships between Cryptococcus spp. and other fungal taxa. The most abundant genera detected were Coniochaeta, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, all being commonly isolated from decaying wood. There was no correlation between the presence of Cryptococcus spp. in a tree hollow and the presence of any other fungal genus. Some differences in the abundance of numerous taxa were noted in a differential heat tree comparing samples with or without Cryptococcus-NGS reads. The study expanded the known environmental niche of the C. gattii and C. neoformans species complexes in Australia with detections from a further five tree species. Discrepancies between the detection of Cryptococcus spp. using culture or NGS suggest that neither is superior per se and that, rather, these methodologies are complementary. The inherent biases of amplicon-based metagenomics require cautious interpretation of data through consideration of its biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Schmertmann
- Sydney School of Veterinary ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Clinical SchoolThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- The Westmead Institute for Medical ResearchWestmeadNSWAustralia
| | - Laszlo Irinyi
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Clinical SchoolThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- The Westmead Institute for Medical ResearchWestmeadNSWAustralia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and BiosecurityThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, Sydney School of Veterinary ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Jeff R. Powell
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithNSWAustralia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Clinical SchoolThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- The Westmead Institute for Medical ResearchWestmeadNSWAustralia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and BiosecurityThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Mark B. Krockenberger
- Sydney School of Veterinary ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and BiosecurityThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
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Cogliati M, Prigitano A, Esposto MC, Romanò L, Grancini A, Zani A, Tortorano AM. Epidemiological trends of cryptococcosis in Italy: Molecular typing and susceptibility pattern of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates collected during a 20-year period. Med Mycol 2019; 56:963-971. [PMID: 29373716 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study clinical data and isolates from cases of cryptococcosis recorded during clinical surveys carried out in Italy from 1997 to 2016, were investigated. Molecular typing and antifungal susceptibility testing were performed in order to delineate the epidemiological trend of cryptococcosis in Italy and to define wild-type population for four different antifungal compounds. During the studied period, a total of 302 cases collected from 32 centers of 11 Italian regions were recorded. Analysis of clinical data showed a significant increase of frequency (from 7% to 38%) of cryptococcosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients primarily with hematologic malignancies and solid organ transplantations. The prevalence of the molecular types has significantly changed during the study period, showing an increase of VNIII isolates from 11% to 41% in HIV-negative patients, and a decrease of VNIV isolates from 36% to 16%. Antifungal susceptibility testing allowed us to calculate the epidemiological cut-off for flucytosine (1 mg/l), fluconazole (8 mg/l), itraconazole (0.5 mg/l), and voriconazole (0.25 mg/l). Most of the isolates were wild-type strains. Comparison of the MIC distributions according to molecular types showed that VNIV isolates had lower MICs for fluconazole and itraconazole than the VNI and VIII isolates. The current study emphasizes that the epidemiology of cryptococcosis in Italy has significantly changed over the last decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Cogliati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Prigitano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Esposto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luisa Romanò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Grancini
- UOS Microbiology, Central Laboratory, I.R.C.C.S. Foundation, Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Zani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Tortorano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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7
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Samarasinghe H, Xu J. Hybrids and hybridization in the Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:245-255. [PMID: 30342094 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The basidiomycetous yeasts of the Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes (CNSC and CGSC respectively) are the causative agents of cryptococcosis, a set of life-threatening diseases affecting the central nervous system, lungs, skin, and other body sites of humans and other mammals. Both the CNSC and CGSC can be subdivided into varieties, serotypes, molecular types, and lineages based on structural variations, molecular characteristics and genetic sequences. Hybridization between the haploid lineages within and between the two species complexes is known to occur in natural and clinical settings, giving rise to intraspecific and interspecific diploid/aneuploid hybrid strains. Since their initial discovery in 1977, cryptococcal hybrids have been increasingly discovered in both clinical and environmental settings with over 30% of all cryptococcal infections in some regions of Europe being caused by hybrid strains. This review summarizes the major findings to date on cryptococcal hybrids, including their possible origins, prevalence, genomic profiles and phenotypic characteristics. Our analyses suggest that CNSC and CGSC can be an excellent model system for studying fungal hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himeshi Samarasinghe
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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Aminnejad M, Cogliati M, Duan S, Arabatzis M, Tintelnot K, Castañeda E, Lazéra M, Velegraki A, Ellis D, Sorrell TC, Meyer W. Identification and Characterization of VNI/VNII and Novel VNII/VNIV Hybrids and Impact of Hybridization on Virulence and Antifungal Susceptibility Within the C. neoformans/C. gattii Species Complex. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163955. [PMID: 27764108 PMCID: PMC5072701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are pathogenic basidiomycetous yeasts and the commonest cause of fungal infection of the central nervous system. Cryptococci are typically haploid but several inter-species, inter-varietal and intra-varietal hybrids have been reported. It has a bipolar mating system with sexual reproduction occurring normally between two individuals with opposite mating types, α and a. This study set out to characterize hybrid isolates within the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex: seven unisexual mating intra-varietal VNI/VNII (αAAα) and six novel inter-varietal VNII/VNIV (aADα). The URA5-RFLP pattern for VNII/VNIV (aADα) differs from the VNIII (αADa) hybrids. Analysis of the allelic patterns of selected genes for AD hybrids showed 79% or more heterozygosis for the studied loci except for CBS132 (VNIII), which showed 50% of heterozygosity. MALDI-TOF MS was applied to hybrids belonging to different sero/mating type allelic patterns. All hybrid isolates were identified as belonging to the same hybrid group with identification scores ranging between 2.101 to 2.634. All hybrids were virulent when tested in the Galleria mellonella (wax moth) model, except for VNII/VNIV (aADα) hybrids. VNI/VGII hybrids were the most virulent hybrids. Hybrids recovered from larvae manifested a significant increase in capsule and total cell size and produced a low proportion (5-10%) of giant cells compared with the haploid control strains. All strains expressed the major virulence factors-capsule, melanin and phospholipase B-and grew well at 37°C. The minimal inhibitory concentration of nine drugs was measured by micro-broth dilution and compared with published data on haploid strains. MICs were similar amongst hybrids and haploid parental strains. This is the first study reporting natural same sex αAAα intra-varietal VNI/VNII hybrids and aADα inter-varietal VNII/VNIV hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Aminnejad
- 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 Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Laboratory Micologia Medica, Dip. Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Shuyao Duan
- 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 Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Arabatzis
- Mycology Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Marcia Lazéra
- Mycology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aristea Velegraki
- Mycology Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - David Ellis
- School of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Tania C. Sorrell
- 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 Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - 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 Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
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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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10
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Alves GSB, Freire AKL, Bentes ADS, Pinheiro JFDS, de Souza JVB, Wanke B, Matsuura T, Jackisch-Matsuura AB. Molecular typing of environmental Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex isolates from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Mycoses 2016; 59:509-15. [PMID: 27005969 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are the main causative agents of cryptococcosis, a systemic fungal disease that affects internal organs and skin, and which is acquired by inhalation of spores or encapsulated yeasts. It is currently known that the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex has a worldwide distribution, however, some molecular types seem to prevail in certain regions. Few environmental studies of Cryptococcus have been conducted in the Brazilian Amazon. This is the first ecological study of the pathogenic fungi C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex in the urban area of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. A total of 506 samples from pigeon droppings (n = 191), captive bird droppings (n = 60) and tree hollows (n = 255) were collected from June 2012 to January 2014 at schools and public buildings, squares, pet shops, households, the zoo and the bus station. Samples were plated on niger seed agar (NSA) medium supplemented with chloramphenicol and incubated at 25°C for 5 days. Dark-brown colonies were isolated and tested for thermotolerance at 37°C, cycloheximide resistance and growth on canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue agar. Molecular typing was done by PCR-RFLP. Susceptibility to the antifungal drugs amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole was tested using Etest(®) strips. In total, 13 positive samples were obtained: one tree hollow (C. gattiiVGII), nine pigeon droppings (C. neoformansVNI) and three captive bird droppings (C. neoformansVNI). The environmental cryptococcal isolates found in this study were of the same molecular types as those responsible for infections in Manaus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleica Soyan Barbosa Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Sociedade e Endemias na Amazônia - UFAM and CPqLMD/FIOCRUZ, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Ana Karla Lima Freire
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA) and Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Amaury Dos Santos Bentes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA) and Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Bodo Wanke
- Laboratório de Micologia do Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI)/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Takeshi Matsuura
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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11
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Hagen F, Khayhan K, Theelen B, Kolecka A, Polacheck I, Sionov E, Falk R, Parnmen S, Lumbsch HT, Boekhout T. Recognition of seven species in the Cryptococcus gattii/Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 78:16-48. [PMID: 25721988 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 472] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Phylogenetic analysis of 11 genetic loci and results from many genotyping studies revealed significant genetic diversity with the pathogenic Cryptococcus gattii/Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. Genealogical concordance, coalescence-based, and species tree approaches supported the presence of distinct and concordant lineages within the complex. Consequently, we propose to recognize the current C. neoformans var. grubii and C. neoformans var. neoformans as separate species, and five species within C. gattii. The type strain of C. neoformans CBS132 represents a serotype AD hybrid and is replaced. The newly delimited species differ in aspects of pathogenicity, prevalence for patient groups, as well as biochemical and physiological aspects, such as susceptibility to antifungals. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry readily distinguishes the newly recognized species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferry Hagen
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Basidiomycete and Yeast Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kantarawee Khayhan
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Basidiomycete and Yeast Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Bart Theelen
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Basidiomycete and Yeast Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Kolecka
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Basidiomycete and Yeast Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Itzhack Polacheck
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Edward Sionov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Food Quality & Safety, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Rama Falk
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nir-David, Israel
| | - Sittiporn Parnmen
- Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | | | - Teun Boekhout
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Basidiomycete and Yeast Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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12
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Cogliati M, D'Amicis R, Tortorano A. Cryptococcus gattii sero-mating type allelic pattern determined by multiplex PCR. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:190.e1-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Revised: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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13
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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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14
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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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15
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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: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [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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16
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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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17
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Heterozygosis and Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans AD-Hybrid Isolates. Mycopathologia 2011; 173:347-57. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-011-9467-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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18
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Meyer W, Aanensen DM, Boekhout T, Cogliati M, Diaz MR, Esposto MC, Fisher M, Gilgado F, Hagen F, Kaocharoen S, Litvintseva AP, Mitchell TG, Simwami SP, Trilles L, Viviani MA, Kwon-Chung J. Consensus multi-locus sequence typing scheme for Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Med Mycol 2010; 47:561-70. [PMID: 19462334 DOI: 10.1080/13693780902953886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This communication describes the consensus multi-locus typing scheme established by the Cryptococcal Working Group I (Genotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii) of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) using seven unlinked genetic loci for global strain genotyping. These genetic loci include the housekeeping genes CAP59,GPD1, LAC1, PLB1, SOD1, URA5 and the IGS1 region. Allele and sequence type information are accessible at http://www.mlst.net/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney Western Clinical School at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
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19
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Harun A, Perdomo H, Gilgado F, Chen SCA, Cano J, Guarro J, Meyer W. Genotyping ofScedosporiumspecies: a review of molecular approaches. Med Mycol 2009; 47:406-14. [DOI: 10.1080/13693780802510240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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20
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Bovers M, Hagen F, Kuramae EE, Hoogveld HL, Dromer F, St-Germain G, Boekhout T. AIDS patient death caused by novel Cryptococcus neoformans x C. gattii hybrid. Emerg Infect Dis 2008; 14:1105-8. [PMID: 18598632 PMCID: PMC2600336 DOI: 10.3201/eid1407.080122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Interspecies hybrids of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii have only recently been reported. We describe a novel C. neoformans × C. gattii hybrid strain (serotype AB) that was previously described as C. gattii and that caused a lethal infection in an AIDS patient from Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Bovers
- University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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21
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Esposto MC, Cogliati M, Tortorano AM, Viviani MA. Electrophoretic karyotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans AD-hybrid strains. Mycoses 2008; 52:16-23. [PMID: 18498305 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01532.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the differences in genome structure between haploid serotype A and D isolates and AD-hybrid strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, and the correlation between the karyotype of A and D strains with their mating ability. The electrophoretic karyotyping of 16 AD-hybrid, eight haploid serotype-A MATalpha, and eight haploid serotype-D MATalphaC. neoformans isolates was performed. These 32 isolates presented, two by two, the same genotype and flow cytometry profile. Five clusters were identified, each including VNI (serotype A), VNIV (serotype D) haploid strains and VNIII AD hybrids. Similarly, mating types were also randomly distributed in the five clusters. In addition, AD-hybrid isolates, with double content of DNA, showed only a slight increase in both the number of chromosomal bands and the calculated genome size compared with haploid isolates. Data support the hypothesis that hybrid isolates are aneuploids (2n+x) rather than eudiploids (2n). In addition, a set of six mating type a strains were karyotyped and then used for mating experiments carried out crossing the haploid isolates with similar or different karyotype profile strains. Isolates with completely different karyotype were able to mate confirming that meiosis occurred even in the presence of chromosomes of different lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmela Esposto
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Microbiologia, Virologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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22
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Raimondi A, Ticozzi R, Sala G, Bellotti MG. Genotype-based differentiation of the Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes by combined PCR-RFLP analysis of the capsule-associated genes CAP10 and CAP59. Med Mycol 2007; 45:491-501. [PMID: 17710618 DOI: 10.1080/13693780701397681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This report describes an indirect identification method for Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes developed using combined restriction enzyme pattern analysis of two PCR-amplified portions of the capsule-associated genes CAP10 and CAP59. The method relies on the recognition of the sequence conformation of nine serotype-related polymorphic sites by the analysis of four restriction profiles. A 610 nucleotides long trait of the CAP10 gene was digested with the enzymes Sty I or Sal I and a 597 nucleotides long trait of the CAP59 gene was digested with the enzymes Sal I or EcoRV+PstI. The resulting profiles, reported as a string of four numbers, defined for each strain an intrinsically coherent allelic profile closely correlated to the serotype. We analyzed by this method 172 C. neoformans strains obtained from different sources. All the serotype A strains examined and all the strains of the B-C serotypes group were recognized by specific allelic profiles, but serotypes B and C could not be distinguished from each other. Of the serotype D strains, 84% were characterized by a unique allelic pattern, while the remaining 16% were genotypically indistinguishable from the AD serotype organisms among which differences in the ploidy number and evidence of recombination could be recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Raimondi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Microbiologia, Virologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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23
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Ito-Kuwa S, Nakamura K, Aoki S, Vidotto V. Serotype identification of Cryptococcus neoformans by multiplex PCR. Mycoses 2007; 50:277-81. [PMID: 17576319 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01357.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is traditionally classified into three varieties with five serotypes: var. grubii (serotype A), var. neoformans (serotype D), var. gattii (serotypes B and C) and serotype AD (hybrid of serotypes A and D). A commercial kit, Crypto Check (Iatron Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan), has been used worldwide for serotyping isolated strains. However, its production was discontinued in 2004, and hence the present study aimed to develop a simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for serotyping C. neoformans strains. Subjecting genomic DNA of 59 strains of the five serotypes to multiplex PCR amplification using a set of four primers designed for the laccase gene (LAC1) differentiated serotypes A, D, B and C, but could not separate serotype AD from serotype D. However, a primer pair designed for the capsule gene (CAP64) allowed serotypes D and AD to be differentiated. When PCR amplification was performed in the simultaneous presence of the above six primers, the five serotypes produced two to five DNA fragments that could be used to distinguish them. This multiplex PCR method is useful for serotyping C. neoformans isolates, and represents an effective replacement for the Crypto Check kit.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ito-Kuwa
- Advanced Research Center, Nippon Dental University, Niigata, Japan.
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24
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Cogliati M, Esposto MC, Liberi G, Tortorano AM, Viviani MA. Cryptococcus neoformans typing by PCR fingerprinting using (GACA)4 primers based on C. neoformans genome project data. J Clin Microbiol 2007; 45:3427-30. [PMID: 17670921 PMCID: PMC2045350 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01199-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Four (GACA)(4) PCR fingerprinting sequences, used as markers to identify serotypes A and D and AD hybrids, were retrieved in four Cryptococcus neoformans genome databases. Their locations, both in serotype A and D genomes, were confirmed by chromosomal hybridization with specific probes. Two sequences were recognized to code for hypothetical functional proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Cogliati
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica-Microbiologia-Virologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Sez. Sanità Pubblica, Lab. Micologia Medica, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Viviani MA, Cogliati M, Esposto MC, Prigitano A, Tortorano AM. Four-year persistence of a single Candida albicans genotype causing bloodstream infections in a surgical ward proven by multilocus sequence typing. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:218-21. [PMID: 16390973 PMCID: PMC1351973 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.44.1.218-221.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study represents the first application of multilocus sequence typing to retrospectively investigate a suspected outbreak of Candida albicans bloodstream infection cases that occurred in the same hospital ward between July 1987 and October 1991. Results demonstrated that eight bloodstream infections were caused by the same strain, endemic in the ward, over a 4-year period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anna Viviani
- Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
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26
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Tintelnot K, Lemmer K, Losert H, Schär G, Polak A. Follow-up of epidemiological data of cryptococcosis in Austria, Germany and Switzerland with special focus on the characterization of clinical isolates. Mycoses 2005; 47:455-64. [PMID: 15601449 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2004.01072.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present survey in Austria, Germany and Switzerland continued the survey of cryptococcosis set up by the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) in 1997. From 2000 to 2003 77 cases have been reported. An HIV infection is still the most important risk factor (68%). Young HIV+ women from ASIA contributed to the increase of cryptococcosis in females. A total of 129 clinical isolates of both surveys were genotyped by PCR fingerprinting to study the prevalence of different genotypes. The prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) with the genotypes VNA1 and VNA2 was higher in Germany and Austria (74.5%) than in Switzerland (52%), while in Switzerland the Cr. neoformans hybrids AD (26%) and Cr. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) (22%) were more prevalent compared with Germany and Austria (8 and 17.5% respectively). Cryptococcus gattii isolates were studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. DNA in the ITS region was sequenced to get further information about Cr. neoformans serotype AD strains and about the geographical origin of the Cr. gattii isolates. The ITS sequence of the serotype AD isolates of the genotypes VNAD1, VNAD2 and VNAD4 is usually identical to serotype A or serotype D respectively. In the three isolates of the genotype VNAD3 a genotype-specific sequence pattern was detected. Two autochthonous infections due to Cr. gattii could indicate that the genotype VGIV with the ITS type 'Asia 2' might be endemic in Europe.
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27
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Barchiesi F, Cogliati M, Esposto MC, Spreghini E, Schimizzi AM, Wickes BL, Scalise G, Viviani MA. Comparative analysis of pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes A, D and AD in murine cryptococcosis. J Infect 2005; 51:10-6. [PMID: 15979484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2004.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2004] [Accepted: 07/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize the pathogenicity of 15 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans belonging to several serotype/mating type allele patterns (Dalpha, Da, A(alpha), A(a), A(alpha)/D(a) and D(alpha)/A(a)) in experimental models of murine cryptococcosis. METHODS CD1-infected mice were examined for survival and fungal loads in either brain or lung during the course of infection. RESULTS All strains, with the exception of one Da strain, produced melanin in vitro. Similarly, all strains were encapsulated and produced phospholipase. When CD1 mice were challenged intravenously (i.v.) with 5x10(5)CFU/mouse and observed for 60 days post-infection, a significant variation of mortality rate was observed among mice infected with different strains. A(alpha) and A(alpha)/D(a) strains all produced 100% mortality within the study period with mean survivals significantly shorter than those of mice infected with strains belonging to any other allele type (P<0.0001). A wide range of pathogenicity was shown by haploid and diploid strains presenting D(alpha) allele. This finding was confirmed by an intranasal model of challenge. To investigate the progression of infection, the mice were challenged i.v. with 5x10(4)CFU/mouse and tissue burden experiments (brain and lung) were performed on days 6 and 12 post-infection. Only the mice infected with A(alpha) and A(alpha)/D(a) strains showed a >1 log(10) increase of CFU/g in both tissues throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the presence of the A(alpha) mating type allele in either haploid or diploid strains is correlated with virulence, while the presence of the A(a) or D(a) allele in haploid strains is associated with moderate or no virulence. Finally, either haploid or diploid strains presenting D(alpha) allele vary in virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Barchiesi
- Istituto di Malattie Infettive e Medicina Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto Io, Via Conca 60020 Torrette di Ancona, Ancona, Italy.
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28
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Ngamwongsatit P, Sukroongreung S, Nilakul C, Prachayasittikul V, Tantimavanich S. Electrophoretic karyotypes of C. neoformans serotype A recovered from Thai patients with AIDS. Mycopathologia 2005; 159:189-97. [PMID: 15770442 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-004-6671-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2004] [Accepted: 11/23/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-seven clinical isolates of C. neoformans were recovered from AIDS patients and all were serotype A according to standard typing tests. They were further analyzed using RAPD, PCR fingerprinting, and PFGE along with 2 additional reference isolates ATCC 34871 (serotype A) and RV 45981 (serotype D). Using 2 different RAPD primers, all of the clinical isolates and the reference serotype A (ATCC 34871) gave similar RAPD patterns while serotype D (RV 45981) gave distinctive pattern. Corresponding result was also obtained upon PCR by using a primer for microsatellite (GACA)4. However, using a primer specific to minisatellite M13+1, all PCR fingerprinting gave similar gel patterns (M1) for 35/37 of the clinical isolates and the reference serotype A while two clinical isolates generated different patterns called M2 and M3. The reference serotype D gave distinctive pattern called M4. PFGE gave 17 different karyotypes that could be categorized into 4 groups named EKA (1-6), EKB (1-5), EKC (1- 5) and EKD (1). The reference serotype A fell into group EKA as EKA6 while the reference serotype D fell into group EKC as EKC5. Among the clinical isolates, EKA group (20/37 isolates) and type EKA1 (16/20) dominated with only one isolate each for types EKA2 to EKA5. The next most prevalent was group EKB (12/37 isolates) which dominately fell in type EKB1 (8/12) and only one isolate each for types EKB2 to EKB5. Group EKC (4/37 isolates) and group EKD (1/37) had only one isolate for each type (EKC1 to EKC 4 and EKD1). The 2 predominant karyotypes (EKA1, 16/37 and EKB1, 8/37) may represent two originally common clones of C. neoformans expose among the patients. The high discriminatory power of PFGE infers the benefit of subtyping which lead to better understanding on the epidemiology and pathogenic potential of C. neoformans subtypes. Moreover, PCR fingerprinting and RAPD infer the feasibility of detail analysis between serotypes A and D for unencapsulated C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puriya Ngamwongsatit
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, 2 Phran-nok Road, Siriraj Bangkok-not, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
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Butler MI, Poulter RTM. The PRP8 inteins in Cryptococcus are a source of phylogenetic and epidemiological information. Fungal Genet Biol 2005; 42:452-63. [PMID: 15809009 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2005.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2004] [Revised: 01/20/2005] [Accepted: 01/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Only two nuclear encoded inteins have been described. The first, SceVMA, was found in a vacuolar ATPase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related yeasts. The second, CnePRP8, was found in the PRP8 gene of Cryptococcus neoformans. CnePRP8 contains protein sequences associated with intein splicing but no endonuclease domain. We compared allelic mini-inteins in both varieties of C. neoformans (var. neoformans and var. grubii) and in the related primary pathogen C. gattii to study the evolution of both the mini-intein and the host. We also describe a full-length, endonuclease-containing intein in Cryptococcus laurentii, a moderately distant relation of C. neoformans. We did not detect an intein in the PRP8 gene of other species of Cryptococcus including species closely related to the C. neoformans/C. gattii group. It is therefore probable that the C. neoformans/C. gattii mini-intein was derived from horizontal transfer in which C. laurentii or another intein-containing species was the source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret I Butler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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30
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Esposto MC, Cogliati M, Tortorano AM, Viviani MA. Determination of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans mating type by multiplex PCR. Clin Microbiol Infect 2005; 10:1092-4. [PMID: 15606637 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00972.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mating type plays an important role in the epidemiology and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans. The present study designed a multiplex PCR method to distinguish the six mating type patterns (Aa, Da, Aalpha, Dalpha, Aa/Dalpha, and Aalpha/Da) of C. neoformans var. neoformans. PCR amplification identified one fragment for Aa (860 bp), Dalpha (413 bp) and Da (645 bp) strains, two fragments for Aalpha (320 and 400 bp) and Aa/Dalpha (860 and 413 bp) strains, and three fragments (645, 400, 320 bp) for an Aalpha/Da strain. The method appears to be a valid, simple and relatively inexpensive tool for epidemiological and virulence studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Esposto
- Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventina, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milano, Italy
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31
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Lemmer K, Naumann D, Raddatz B, Tintelnot K. Molecular typing ofCryptococcus neoformansby PCR fingerprinting, in comparison with serotyping and Fourier transform infrared-spectroscopy-based phenotyping. Med Mycol 2004; 42:135-47. [PMID: 15124867 DOI: 10.1080/13693780310001624565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular typing by PCR fingerprinting using the single primer (GACA)4 was performed with 110 isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans. Seventy clinical isolates of C. neoformans var. neoformans from Germany (n = 52) and Africa (n = 18) were included. Of these, serotype A (C. neoformans var. grubii) accounted for 47 isolates, serotype D for 12 and serotype AD for 11. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was evaluated for its discriminatory power in phenotyping. Molecular types, defined by different PCR fingerprinting patterns, were compared to serotypes, and both sets of results were compared with the results of analysis by FT-IR spectroscopy. PCR fingerprinting revealed genotypic diversity within each serotype; it showed three different genotypes (designated VNA1-VNA3) within serotype A, two within serotype D (VND1 and VND2), and three within serotype AD (VNAD1-VNAD3). The nomenclature of molecular types within C. n. var. neoformans, as seen in publications to date, is not uniform. In this study, the name assigned to each genotype was based on the 98.6% concordance of genotypes with serotypes, a correspondence that facilitates interlaboratory comparison. This nomenclature is tentatively recommended as a standard. FT-IR spectroscopy combined with hierarchical cluster analysis successfully distinguished C n. var. neoformans from C. n. var. gattii. For C. n. var. neoformans, FT-IR confirmed three distinct genotypes within serotype A and was able to distinguish isolates derived from particular patients as well as isolates differing at the sub-genotype level. Within C. n. var. gattii, the serotypes B and C did not correlate with the four genotypes VGI-VGIV. However, these serotypes could clearly be separated by FT-IR spectroscopy. The molecular profiles were reproducible, and were more stable and more discriminating than serotyping. In connection with a standardized nomenclature, PCR fingerprinting can be a beneficial tool for global epidemiological studies. FT-IR spectroscopy adds an additional level of resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Lemmer
- Robert Koch Institute, Division of Mycology, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic fungus that primarily afflicts immunocompromised patients, infecting the central nervous system to cause meningoencephalitis that is uniformly fatal if untreated. C. neoformans is a basidiomycetous fungus with a defined sexual cycle that has been linked to differentiation and virulence. Recent advances in classical and molecular genetic approaches have allowed molecular descriptions of the pathways that control cell type and virulence. An ongoing genome sequencing project promises to reveal much about the evolution of this human fungal pathogen into three distinct varieties or species. C. neoformans shares features with both model ascomycetous yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and basidiomycetous pathogens and mushrooms (Ustilago maydis, Coprinus cinereus, Schizophyllum commune), yet ongoing studies reveal unique features associated with virulence and the arrangement of the mating type locus. These advances have catapulted C. neoformans to center stage as a model of both fungal pathogenesis and the interesting approaches to life that the kingdom of fungi has adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Hull
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
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33
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Latouche GN, Huynh M, Sorrell TC, Meyer W. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the phospholipase B (PLB1) gene for subtyping of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:2080-6. [PMID: 12676686 PMCID: PMC154774 DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.4.2080-2086.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic yeast that is currently divided into three varieties, five serotypes, and eight molecular types. The following report describes the use of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the phospholipase B gene (PLB1) as a simple tool to differentiate between C. neoformans subgroups. A PLB1 fragment, 1,970 bp, was amplified and digested with either AvaI or HindIII. Both sets of profiles grouped the isolates into their respective varieties, but only the AvaI profiles allowed for the identification of the eight molecular types via the corresponding RFLP profiles A1 to A8. Digestion of the same fragments with HindIII resulted in RFLP profiles H1 to H5, which distinguished only between serotype A, AD, D, and B/C. Neither enzyme distinguished serotype B from serotype C. The serotype AD profile was a composite of the serotype A and D profiles. Further investigation showed that the serotype AD isolates used in this study are heterozygous, with one allele of PLB1 originating from a serotype A parent and the other from a serotype D parent.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Nicolas Latouche
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
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34
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Meyer W, Castañeda A, Jackson S, Huynh M, Castañeda E. Molecular typing of IberoAmerican Cryptococcus neoformans isolates. Emerg Infect Dis 2003; 9:189-95. [PMID: 12603989 PMCID: PMC2901947 DOI: 10.3201/eid0902.020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 389] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A network was established to acquire basic knowledge of Cryptococcus neoformans in IberoAmerican countries. To this effect, 340 clinical, veterinary, and environmental isolates from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Spain were typed by using M13 polymerase chain reaction-fingerprinting and orotidine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (URA5) gene restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with HhaI and Sau96I in a double digest. Both techniques grouped all isolates into eight previously established molecular types. The majority of the isolates, 68.2% (n=232), were VNI (var. grubii, serotype A), which accords with the fact that this variety causes most human cryptococcal infections worldwide. A smaller proportion, 5.6% (n=19), were VNII (var. grubii, serotype A); 4.1% (n=14), VNIII (AD hybrid), with 9 isolates having a polymorphism in the URA5 gene; 1.8% (n=6), VNIV (var. neoformans, serotype D); 3.5% (n=12), VGI; 6.2% (n=21), VGII; 9.1% (n=31), VGIII, and 1.5% (n=5) VGIV, with all four VG types containing var. gatii serotypes B and C isolates.
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35
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Wickes BL. The role of mating type and morphology in Cryptococcus neoformans pathogenesis. Int J Med Microbiol 2002; 292:313-29. [PMID: 12452279 DOI: 10.1078/1438-4221-00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a major fungal pathogen of both humans and animals. The fungus can be divided into two varieties, with each variety being composed of two serotypes. A sexual phase has been identified, which classifies C. neoformans as a bipolar heterothallic fungus with two mating types, MATa and MATalpha. The analysis of mating and mating type in this organism is important for a number of reasons. Both clinical and environmental isolates display a severe bias of the MATalpha mating type over MATa. MATalpha cells are also more virulent than MATalpha cells. Molecular and genetic analyses of the genes that make up the mating pathway have revealed that some of these genes are required for virulence. Finally, although it is well known that infection begins in the lungs after inhalation of infectious particles, it still remains unclear what constitutes the infectious particle. This review will discuss current information about what is known about the role that mating type and morphology play in virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian L Wickes
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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36
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Cardinali G, Martini A, Preziosi R, Bistoni F, Baldelli F. Multicenter comparison of three different analytical systems for evaluation of DNA banding patterns from Cryptococcus neoformans. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:2095-100. [PMID: 12037071 PMCID: PMC130698 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.6.2095-2100.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The enormous improvement of molecular typing techniques for epidemiological and clinical studies has not always been matched by an equivalent effort in applying optimal criteria for the analysis of both phenotypic and molecular data. In spite of the availability of a large collection of statistical and phylogenetic methods, the vast majority of commercial packages are limited by using only the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean algorithm to construct trees and by considering electrophoretic pattern only as migration distances. The latter method has serious drawbacks when different runs (separate gels) of the same molecular analysis are to be compared. This work presents a multicenter comparison of three different systems of banding pattern analysis on random amplified polymorphic DNA, (GACA)(4), and contour-clamped homogeneous electric field patterns from strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans isolated in different clinical and geographical situations and a standard Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain employed as an outgroup. The systems considered were evaluated for their actual ability to(i) recognize identities, (ii) define complete differences (i.e., the ability to place S. cerevisiae out of the C. neoformans cluster), and (iii) estimate the extent of similarity among different strains. The ability to cluster strains according to the patient from which they were isolated was also evaluated. The results indicate that different algorithms do indeed produce divergent trees, both in overall topology and in clustering of individual strains, thus suggesting that care must be taken by individual investigators to use the most appropriate procedure and by the scientific community in defining a consensus system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Cardinali
- Sezione Microbiologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale e Biotecnologie Agroambientali, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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37
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Network FC. European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) prospective survey of cryptococcosis: Report from Italy. Med Mycol 2002. [DOI: 10.1080/mmy.40.5.507.517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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38
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Tintelnot K, Schär G, Polak A. Epidemiological data of cryptococcosis in Austria, Germany and Switzerland: part of the ECMM survey in Europe. European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Mycoses 2001; 44:345-50. [PMID: 11766096 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0507.2001.00686.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The data raised for Cryptococcus neoformans and cryptococcosis in Austria, Germany and Switzerland during the period from July 1997 to December 1999 are presented and analysed according to the epidemiological criteria. This is part of the ECMM survey in Europe.
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39
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Cogliati M, Esposto MC, Clarke DL, Wickes BL, Viviani MA. Origin of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans diploid strains. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:3889-94. [PMID: 11682503 PMCID: PMC88460 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.11.3889-3894.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is an important human fungal pathogen. Two varieties, C. neoformans var. neoformans and C. neoformans var. gattii, have been identified. Both are heterothallic with two mating types, MATa and MATalpha. Some rare isolates are self-fertile and are considered occasional diploid or aneuploid strains. In the present study, 133 isolates, mostly from Italian patients, were investigated to detect the presence of diploid strains in the Igiene Università Milano culture collection. All of the diploid isolates were further investigated by different methods to elucidate their origins. Forty-nine diploid strains were identified by flow cytometry. PCR fingerprinting using the (GACA)(4) primer showed that the diploid state was associated with two specific genotypes identified as VN3 and VN4. Determination of mating type on V8 juice medium confirmed that the majority of the strains were sterile. PCR and dot blotting using the two pheromone genes (MFa and MFalpha) as probes identified 36 of the 49 diploid isolates as MATa/alpha. The results of pheromone gene sequencing showed that two allelic MFalpha genes exist and are distinct for serotypes A and D. In contrast, the MFa gene sequence was conserved in both serotype alleles. Amplification of serotype-specific STE20 alleles demonstrated that the diploid strains contained one mating locus inherited from a serotype A parent and one inherited from a serotype D parent. The present results suggest that diploid isolates may be common among the C. neoformans population and that in Italy and other European countries serotype A and D populations are not genetically isolated but are able to recombine by sexual reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cogliati
- Laboratorio di Micologia Medica, Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università degli Studi, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, 20122 Milan, Italy
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40
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Velegraki A, Kiosses VG, Kansouzidou A, Smilakou S, Mitroussia-Ziouva A, Legakis NJ. Prospective use of RFLP analysis on amplified Cryptococcus neoformans URA5 gene sequences for rapid identification of varieties and serotypes in clinical samples. Med Mycol 2001; 39:409-17. [PMID: 12054051 DOI: 10.1080/mmy.39.5.409.417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans, whole blood, cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with positive cryptococcal antigen latex-agglutination test, and spiked clinical material from healthy individuals, were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers amplifying C. neoformans URA5 gene sequences. To test compatibility of different DNA extraction protocols with the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay, a commercial DNA extraction kit (XTRAX; Gull Laboratories, UT, USA) was used alongside with the hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method on spiked biological fluids. Both methods extracted DNA from spiked clinical samples containing C. neoformans (8 +/- 2 cells ml(-1)) and generated amplification products suitable for restriction enzyme analysis. Alu I digestion differentiated the two varieties of C. neoformans. Three distinct RFLP patterns were obtained upon restriction with MspI corresponding to serotypes A, AD and B, C and D. URA5 PCR followed by RFLP analysis, coupled with a sensitive in-house or commercially available DNA extraction method from clinical samples, could be successfully incorporated into rapid routine diagnostic strategies. It could also provide an expeditious tool for epidemiology-based population genetics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Velegraki
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece.
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41
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Lengeler KB, Cox GM, Heitman J. Serotype AD strains of Cryptococcus neoformans are diploid or aneuploid and are heterozygous at the mating-type locus. Infect Immun 2001; 69:115-22. [PMID: 11119496 PMCID: PMC97862 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.1.115-122.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2000] [Accepted: 09/25/2000] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic basidiomycete with a defined sexual cycle involving mating between haploid yeast cells with a transient diploid state. C. neoformans occurs in four predominant serotypes (A, B, C, and D), which represent different varieties or species. Rare clinical and environmental isolates with an unusual AD serotype have been reported and suggested to be diploid. We found by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis that serotype AD strains are aneuploid or diploid. PCR analysis with primers specific for serotype A or D alleles of the CNA1, CLA4, and GPA1 genes revealed that both alleles are often present in serotype AD strains. PCR analysis with primers specific for genes in the MATa or MATalpha mating-type loci revealed that serotype AD strains are heterozygous for the mating-type locus. Interestingly, in several serotype AD strains, the MATalpha locus was derived from the serotype D parent and the MATa locus was inherited from a serotype A parent that has been thought to be extinct. Basidiospores from a self-fertile serotype AD strain bearing the putative serotype A MATa locus showed a very low viability ( approximately 5%), and no fertile serotype A MATa strain could be recovered. Serotype AD strains were virulent in a murine model. Hybrid AD strains could readily be isolated following a laboratory cross between a serotype A strain and a serotype D strain. In summary, serotype AD strains of C. neoformans are unusual aneuploid or diploid strains that result from matings between serotype A and D strains. Self-fertile isolates fail to undergo normal meiosis because of genetic divergence. Our findings further suggest that serotype A MATa strains may exist in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Lengeler
- Department of Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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Tintelnot K, Adler S, Bergmann F, Schönherr K, Seibold M. Case reports. Disseminated cryptococcoses without cryptococcal antigen detection. Mycoses 2000; 43:203-7. [PMID: 10948820 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0507.2000.00556.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade cryptococcoses were most frequently diagnosed in AIDS patients, where serologically high amounts of glucoronoxylomannan (GXM) were detectable. Disseminated cryptococcoses without cryptococcal antigen detection is unusual. Between August and October 1998 disseminated cryptococcoses were diagnosed in three patients consecutively although cryptococcal antigen was not detectable. Only one of the patients was HIV infected.
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43
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Kielstein P, Hotzel H, Schmalreck A, Khaschabi D, Glawischnig W. Occurrence of Cryptococcus spp. in excreta of pigeons and pet birds. Mycoses 2000; 43:7-15. [PMID: 10838840 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0507.2000.00534.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In pooled samples of faeces from 25 pet bird flocks in Thuringia, a high rate of contamination with Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans was found. The prevalence of Cr. neoformans in the bird-breeding establishments correlated with the numbers of the different pet bird species in these flocks. The differentiation between varieties of Cr. neoformans by means of proline assimilation and canavanine resistance detection as well as with the aid of Cr. neoformans factor sera, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting, sequencing of PCR products as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed uniform results which also corresponded to the serological differentiation between serovars A and D. A predominance of serovar A could be observed among the pet bird breeding flocks. This corresponded to the frequency distribution of serovars A and D in cases of human diseases in Germany. In 50% of the samples of pigeon excreta examined (n = 30) in Innsbruck (Austria), Cryptococcus albidus could be isolated but not Cr. neoformans. However, this Cryptococcus species is of minor pathogenetic importance for man. Cryptococcus albidus may be clearly distinguished from Cr. neoformans by means of microbiological methods, PCR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kielstein
- Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine, Division of Bacterial Epizootics, Jena
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Cogliati M, Allaria M, Tortorano AM, Viviani MA. Genotyping Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans with specific primers designed from PCR-fingerprinting bands sequenced using a modified PCR-based strategy. Med Mycol 2000; 38:97-103. [PMID: 10817225 DOI: 10.1080/mmy.38.2.97.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans can be subdivided into six genotypes (VN1-VN6) based on different combinations of four major bands (420, 475, 540 and 800 bp) obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting using the (GACA)4 primer. The aim of this study was to identify specific primers able to amplify these bands. A modified PCR-based sequencing strategy was adopted to overcome the limitations of using (GACA)4 as a single cycle sequencing primer. The original bands, made up of amplicons with two terminal (GACA)4 sequences, were digested with five restriction enzymes. Digestion products yielding two or three fragments were selected. Each fragment was expected to have no more than one terminal (GACA)4 sequence, making cycle sequencing possible. Fragments were purified and sequenced with the (GACA)4 primer. New primers specific for each of the four major bands were then designed and the remaining regions were sequenced using both purified bands and PCR-fingerprinting products as template. These primers were used to amplify the genomic DNA of 12 C. neoformans strains and five strains of other yeast species. The new primers, used as separate pairs or in a mixture of all pairs, amplified the expected bands only in C. neoformans var. neoformans strains, confirming the species specificity of the bands selected for molecular typing of this yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cogliati
- Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università degli Studi - IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milano, Italy
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Sia RA, Lengeler KB, Heitman J. Diploid strains of the pathogenic basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans are thermally dimorphic. Fungal Genet Biol 2000; 29:153-63. [PMID: 10882532 DOI: 10.1006/fgbi.2000.1192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogenic fungus with a defined sexual cycle. Clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans are haploid, and the diploid stage of the lifecycle is thought to be transient and unstable. In contrast, we find that diploid strains are readily obtained following genetic crosses of congenic MATalpha and MATa strains. At 37 degrees C, the diploid strains grow as yeast cells with a single nucleus that is larger than a haploid nucleus, contains a 2n content of DNA by FACS analysis, and is heterozygous for the MATalpha and MATa loci. At 24 degrees C, these diploid self-fertile strains filament and sporulate, producing recombinant haploid progeny in which meiotic segregation has occurred. In contrast to dikaryotic filament cells that are typically linked by fused clamp connections during mating, self-fertile diploid strains produce monokaryotic filament cells with unfused clamp connections. We also show that these diploid strains can be transformed and sporulated and that an integrated selectable marker segregates in a mendelian fashion. The diploid state could play novel roles in the lifecycle and virulence of the organism and can be exploited for the analysis of essential genes. Finally, the observation that dimorphism is thermally regulated suggests similarities between the lifecycle of C. neoformans and other thermally dimorphic human pathogenic fungi, including Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix schenkii.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Sia
- Department of Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
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46
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Cleare W, Brandt ME, Casadevall A. Monoclonal antibody 13F1 produces annular immunofluorescence patterns on Cryptococcus neoformans serotype AD isolates. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37:3080. [PMID: 10475750 PMCID: PMC85469 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.37.9.3080-3080.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Meyer W, Marszewska K, Amirmostofian M, Igreja RP, Hardtke C, Methling K, Viviani MA, Chindamporn A, Sukroongreung S, John MA, Ellis DH, Sorrell TC. Molecular typing of global isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans by polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-a pilot study to standardize techniques on which to base a detailed epidemiological survey. Electrophoresis 1999; 20:1790-9. [PMID: 10435451 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1522-2683(19990101)20:8<1790::aid-elps1790>3.0.co;2-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A total of 356 clinical isolates of the encapsulated basidiomycetous fungus Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, obtained from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, India, Italy, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Thailand and the USA, were analyzed to lay the basis for a comprehensive evaluation of the global genetic structure of C. neoformans. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based typing techniques were standardized: PCR fingerprinting using a single primer specific to minisatellite or microsatellite DNA, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using two combinations of three 20- to 22-mer random primers. Previous studies showed that the resultant profiles are reproducible and stable over time. Identical results were obtained in two different laboratories and by different scientists in the same laboratory. Both typing techniques separated the isolates into four major groups (VNI and VNII, serotype A; VNIII, serotype A/D; and VNIV, serotype D). The majority (78%) of isolates belonged to VNI, compared with 18% VNII, 1% VNIII and 3% VNIV. All US isolates could be differentiated by a unique, strain-specific PCR fingerprint or RAPD pattern in contrast to most of the non-US isolates, which showed a substantially higher degree of genetic homogeneity, with some clonality, in different parts of the world. Isolates obtained from the same patient at different times and from different body sites, had identical banding patterns. Both typing techniques should provide powerful tools for epidemiological studies of medically important fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Meyer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Molecular Mycology Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Department of Medicine at Westmead Hospital, ICPMR, NSW, Australia.
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Bertout S, Renaud F, Swinne D, Mallié M, Bastide JM. Genetic multilocus studies of different strains of Cryptococcus neoformans: taxonomy and genetic structure. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37:715-20. [PMID: 9986838 PMCID: PMC84532 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.37.3.715-720.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The genotypes of 107 strains of Cryptococcus isolated from the environment or from patients from various geographical areas were determined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE). We analyzed the relationships between genotype structure and serotype and between genotype structure and strain origin. Twelve of the 14 enzyme-encoding loci studied were polymorphic, giving rise to 48 electrophoretic types. The genotypes of C. neoformans and C. laurentii were very similar. MLEE could not distinguish between these two pathogenic species. A correlation between the genetic multilocus structure and the origin of the sample (from the environment or patients) existed. A second analysis detected a correlation between genotype distribution and serotype. The second analysis considered three serotype groups (B, C, and A plus D plus A/D), proving that serotypes A, D, and A/D are closely related. MLEE is a useful epidemiological tool for improving our understanding of the biology of this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bertout
- Laboratoire d'Immunologie Parasitologie MENRT UPRES EA 2413, Université Montpellier I, Faculté de Pharmacie, 34060 Montpellier Cédex 2, France
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Hotzel H, Kielstein P, Blaschke-Hellmessen R, Wendisch J, Bär W. Phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of several human and avian isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans. Mycoses 1998; 41:389-96. [PMID: 9916462 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.1998.tb00359.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from two human cases could be diagnosed as Cr. neoformans var. neoformans by differentiation on the basis of their characteristics determined by proline, canavanine and EDTA urease tests. The results of the serovar assignment were: for the isolate from the meningoencephalitis patient with lethal outcome, serovar A; for the strain isolated from the osteomyelitis patient with benign course, serovar D. Also, the PCR fingerprinting using primers (GACA)4, (CAC)5 and FM 1 resulted in a clear and reproducible assignment of the Cr. neoformans strains to the varieties neoformans and gattii, respectively, and, in addition, it confirmed the serovar assignment. No statistically confirmed differences in virulence between the osteomyelitis and the meningoencephalitis strain could be established by i.v. testing in mice, nor did the PCR with several primers provide any clues to a genetically determined higher virulence of the meningoencephalitis strain. The different classification as serovars A and D does not allow any conclusions concerning different virulence. It was not possible to retrospectively establish the sources of infection of the two Cr. neoformans infections, but pigeon faeces may well have played a role as a reservoir for one of the illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hotzel
- Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine, Jena, Germany
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