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Serna-Espinosa BN, Forero-Castro M, Morales-Puentes ME, Parra-Giraldo CM, Escandón P, Sánchez-Quitian ZA. First report of environmental isolation of Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from Boyacá, Colombia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15755. [PMID: 37735454 PMCID: PMC10514045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cryptococcus genus comprises more than 100 species, of which C. neoformans and C. gattii are the leading cause of cryptococcosis. The distribution of C. gattii and C. neoformans species complexes has been extensively studied and widely reported globally. Other species such as Naganishia albida, Papiliotrema laurentii, and Papiliotrema flavescens have been reported as pathogenic yeasts. Since there are no reports of environmental isolation in the Boyacá region (Colombia), this study aimed to isolate and characterize Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from pigeon feces, Eucalyptus, and olive trees distributed in the municipalities of Tunja and Ricaute Alto. The environmental data was recovered, and the isolations obtained were identified by microscopy, biochemical test, MALDI-TOF MS, URA5-RFLP, and sequencing of the ITS and LSU loci. For the 93 pigeon dropping samples collected in Tunja, 23 yielded to C. neoformans, 3 to N. globosa, 2 N. albida and 1 to P. laurentii. Of the 1188 samples collected from olive trees, 17 (1.43%) positive samples were identified as C. gattii species complex (4), C. neoformans species complex (2), P. laurentii (3), N. albida (2), N. globosa (5) and P. flavescens (1). Likewise, specimens of C. neoformans presented molecular type VNI and molecular type VNII; for C. gattii the molecular types found were VGIII and one VGIV by URA5-RFLP but VGIII by MALDI-TOF and sequencing of the ITS and LSU. Therefore, it can be concluded that the species of Cryptococcus, Naganishia and Papiliotrema genera, are present in the environment of Boyacá, and show a predilection for climate conditions that are typical of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briggith-Nathalia Serna-Espinosa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Maribel Forero-Castro
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - María Eugenia Morales-Puentes
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Marcela Parra-Giraldo
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Calle 26 # 51-20, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Zilpa Adriana Sánchez-Quitian
- Grupo de Investigación Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Departamento de Biología y Microbiología, Universidad de Boyacá, Carrera 2ª Este No. 64-169, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
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Rathore SS, Sathiyamoorthy J, Lalitha C, Ramakrishnan J. A holistic review on Cryptococcus neoformans. Microb Pathog 2022; 166:105521. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Serna-Espinosa BN, Guzmán-Sanabria D, Forero-Castro M, Escandón P, Sánchez-Quitian ZA. Environmental Status of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Colombia. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:410. [PMID: 34073882 PMCID: PMC8225054 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Cryptococcus comprises more than 80 species, including C. neoformans and C. gattii, which are pathogenic to humans, mainly affecting the central nervous system. The two species differ in geographic distribution and environmental niche. C. neoformans has a worldwide distribution and is often isolated from bird droppings. On the contrary, C. gattii is reported in tropical and subtropical regions and is associated with Eucalyptus species. This review aims to describe the distribution of environmental isolates of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex and the Cryptococcus gattii species complex in Colombia. A systematic investigation was carried out using different databases, excluding studies of clinical isolates reported in the country. The complex of the species of C. gattii is recovered mainly from trees of the genus Eucalyptus spp., while the complex of the species of C. neoformans is recovered mainly from avian excrement, primarily Columba livia (pigeons) excrement. In addition, greater positivity was found at high levels of relative humidity. Likewise, an association was observed between the presence of the fungus in places with little insolation and cold or temperate temperatures compared to regions with high temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briggith-Nathalia Serna-Espinosa
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Biomédicas, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (B.-N.S.-E.); (M.F.-C.)
| | - Diomedes Guzmán-Sanabria
- Grupo de Investigación Gestión Ambiental, Departamento de Biología y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad de Boyacá, Carrera 2a Este No. 64-169, Tunja 150003, Colombia;
| | - Maribel Forero-Castro
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Biomédicas, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (B.-N.S.-E.); (M.F.-C.)
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Calle 26 No. 51-20, Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
| | - Zilpa Adriana Sánchez-Quitian
- Grupo de Investigación Gestión Ambiental, Departamento de Biología y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad de Boyacá, Carrera 2a Este No. 64-169, Tunja 150003, Colombia;
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Firacative C, Meyer W, Castañeda E. Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Species Complexes in Latin America: A Map of Molecular Types, Genotypic Diversity, and Antifungal Susceptibility as Reported by the Latin American Cryptococcal Study Group. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040282. [PMID: 33918572 PMCID: PMC8069395 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, a potentially fatal mycosis, is caused by members of the Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. In Latin America, cryptococcal meningitis is still an important health threat with a significant clinical burden. Analysis of publicly available molecular data from 5686 clinical, environmental, and veterinary cryptococcal isolates from member countries of the Latin American Cryptococcal Study Group showed that, as worldwide, C. neoformans molecular type VNI is the most common cause of cryptococcosis (76.01%) in HIV-infected people, followed by C. gattii molecular type VGII (12.37%), affecting mostly otherwise healthy hosts. These two molecular types also predominate in the environment (68.60% for VNI and 20.70% for VGII). Among the scarce number of veterinary cases, VGII is the predominant molecular type (73.68%). Multilocus sequence typing analysis showed that, in Latin America, the C. neoformans population is less diverse than the C. gattii population (D of 0.7104 vs. 0.9755). Analysis of antifungal susceptibility data showed the presence of non-wild-type VNI, VGI, VGII, and VGIII isolates in the region. Overall, the data presented herein summarize the progress that has been made towards the molecular epidemiology of cryptococcal isolates in Latin America, contributing to the characterization of the genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of these globally spreading pathogenic yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-1-297-0200 (ext. 3404)
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Research and Education Network Westmead Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Clinical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia;
| | - Elizabeth Castañeda
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogota 111321, Colombia;
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Multilocus Sequence Typing of Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus from India. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:199-211. [PMID: 33469844 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complex. In the present study, to understand the molecular epidemiology of 208 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus from different parts of India, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using ISHAM MLST consensus scheme for C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex was used. MLST analysis yielded a total of 10 Sequence Types (STs)-7 STs for C. neoformans and 3 for C. gattii species complex. The majority of isolates identified as C. neoformans belonged to molecular type VNI with predominant STs 31 and 93. Only 3 isolates of C. gattii species complex were obtained, belonging to ST58 and ST215 of VGI and ST69 of VGIV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed less diversity among the clinical Indian isolates compared to the global MLST database. No association between prevalent STs and HIV status, geographical origin or minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) could be established.
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Carvajal JG, Alaniz AJ, Carvajal MA, Acheson ES, Cruz R, Vergara PM, Cogliati M. Expansion of the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus bacillisporus Into America: Linking Phylogenetic Origin, Geographical Spread and Population Under Exposure Risk. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2117. [PMID: 32983073 PMCID: PMC7485214 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2018 the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus bacillisporus (AFLP5/VGIII) was isolated for the first time in Chile, representing the only report in a temperate region in South America. We reconstructed the colonization process of C. bacillisporus in Chile, estimating the phylogenetic origin, the potential spread zone, and the population at risk. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the strain and modeled the environmental niche of the pathogen projecting its potential spread zone into the new colonized region. Finally, we generated risk maps and quantified the people under potential risk. Phylogenetic analysis showed high similarity between the Chilean isolate and two clonal clusters from California, United States and Colombia in South America. The pathogen can expand into all the temperate Mediterranean zone in central Chile and western Argentina, exposing more than 12 million people to this pathogen in Chile. This study has epidemiological and public health implications for the response to a potential C. bacillisporus outbreak, optimizing budgets, routing for screening diagnosis, and treatment implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge G Carvajal
- Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alberto J Alaniz
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario A Carvajal
- Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emily S Acheson
- Department of Geography, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rodrigo Cruz
- Laboratorio de Micología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Pablo M Vergara
- Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Acheson ES, Galanis E, Bartlett K, Mak S, Klinkenberg B. Searching for clues for eighteen years: Deciphering the ecological determinants of Cryptococcus gattii on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Med Mycol 2018; 56:129-144. [PMID: 28525610 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii emerged on Vancouver Island in 1999 for unknown reasons, causing human and animal fatalities and illness. The apparent emergence of this fungus in another temperate area, this time in the Pacific Northwest, suggests the fungus may have expanded its ecological niche. Yet studies that directly examine the potential roles of climatic and land use changes on C. gattii are still lacking. We aim to summarize the existing global literature on the ecology of C. gattii, with particular focus on the gap in knowledge surrounding the potential effects of climatic and land use changes. We systematically reviewed English peer-reviewed literature on the ecological determinants of C. gattii. We included studies published from January 1970 through June 2016 and identified 56 relevant studies for our review. We identified environmental isolations of C. gattii from 18 countries, spanning 72 separate regions across six continents. Fifty-three tree species were associated with C. gattii, spanning 10 climate classifications and 36 terrestrial ecoregions. No studies directly tested the potential effects of climatic changes (including climatic oscillations and global climate change) on C. gattii, while only one study directly assessed those of land use change. To improve model predictions of current and future distributions of C. gattii, more focus is needed on the potential effects of climatic and land use changes to help decrease the public health risk. The apparent emergence of C. gattii in British Columbia is also an opportunity to explore the factors behind emerging infectious diseases in Canada and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Sohanna Acheson
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z2
| | - Eleni Galanis
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 4R4.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Karen Bartlett
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Sunny Mak
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 4R4
| | - Brian Klinkenberg
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z2
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Anacona C, González C FE, Vásquez-A LR, Escandón P. First isolation and molecular characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii in excreta of birds in the urban perimeter of the Municipality of Popayán, Colombia. Rev Iberoam Micol 2018; 35:123-129. [PMID: 30274952 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcosis is a systemic opportunistic mycosis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, which affects mainly the central nervous system of immunocompromised patients; no reports have been made on the isolation of the fungus from the environment of Popayán, Colombia. AIMS The main objective of this investigation was to determinate the incidence of C. neoformans in the urban perimeter in the City of Popayán, Colombia. METHODS A total of 303 samples from droppings of Columba livia and Bubulcus ibis were collected between September 2012 and June 2013. The samples were processed by conventional techniques; identification of colonies was performed by biochemical tests, and molecular patterns were determined by PCR fingerprinting with the primer (GTG)5 and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the gene URA5. RESULTS A total of 118 (38.94%) samples were positive for Cryptococcus in excreta of C. livia, and 361 strains belonging to Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii were isolated. From the latter, 99.2% corresponded to the molecular pattern VNI and 0.8% to VNII, with an increased occurrence (24.4%) at a temperature of 22.5°C and a humidity of 60.8%. The excreta of B. ibis did not show the presence of the fungus. CONCLUSIONS C. livia excreta is a key environmental niche for C. neoformans var. grubii, type VNI, supporting growth and reproduction, and serving as a major source of infection for susceptible populations in Popayán. This represents the first report on the isolation of the agent of cryptococcosis from the environment in this region, with a significant prevalence in bird excreta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Anacona
- Centro de Estudios en Microbiología y Parasitología CEMPA, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Fabiola E González C
- Centro de Estudios en Microbiología y Parasitología CEMPA, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Luis Reinel Vásquez-A
- Centro de Estudios en Microbiología y Parasitología CEMPA, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Firacative C, Lizarazo J, Illnait-Zaragozí MT, Castañeda E. The status of cryptococcosis in Latin America. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018; 113:e170554. [PMID: 29641639 PMCID: PMC5888000 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760170554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal infection caused by the encapsulated
yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii,
acquired from the environment. In Latin America, as occurring
worldwide, C. neoformans causes more than 90% of the cases of
cryptococcosis, affecting predominantly patients with HIV, while C.
gattii generally affects otherwise healthy individuals. In this
region, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common presentation, with
amphotericin B and fluconazole being the antifungal drugs of choice. Avian
droppings are the predominant environmental reservoir of C.
neoformans, while C. gattii is associated with
several arboreal species. Importantly, C. gattii has a high
prevalence in Latin America and has been proposed to be the likely origin of
some C. gattii populations in North America. Thus, in the
recent years, significant progress has been made with the study of the basic
biology and laboratory identification of cryptococcal strains, in understanding
their ecology, population genetics, host-pathogen interactions, and the clinical
epidemiology of this important mycosis in Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Firacative
- Westmead Hospital, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jairo Lizarazo
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Erasmo Meoz, Universidad de Pamplona, Cúcuta, Colombia
| | - María Teresa Illnait-Zaragozí
- Diagnosis and Reference Centre, Bacteriology-Mycology Department Research, Tropical Medicine Institute Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba
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Ecoepidemiology of Cryptococcus gattii in Developing Countries. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:jof3040062. [PMID: 29371578 PMCID: PMC5753164 DOI: 10.3390/jof3040062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a systemic infection caused by species of the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus. The disease may occur in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts and is acquired by the inhalation of infectious propagules present in the environment. Cryptococcus is distributed in a plethora of ecological niches, such as soil, pigeon droppings, and tree hollows, and each year new reservoirs are discovered, which helps researchers to better understand the epidemiology of the disease. In this review, we describe the ecoepidemiology of the C. gattii species complex focusing on clinical cases and ecological reservoirs in developing countries from different continents. We also discuss some important aspects related to the antifungal susceptibility of different species within the C. gattii species complex and bring new insights on the revised Cryptococcus taxonomy.
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Firacative C, Trilles L, Meyer W. Advances in the understanding of the Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes and cryptococcosis. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/ma17043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising incidence of cryptococcosis, a potentially fatal fungal infection affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent humans and animals, and the emergence of disease outbreaks, has increased the need for more in-depth studies and constant vigilance of its two etiological agents, the cosmopolitan and well known Cryptococcus neoformans and its sibling species C. gattii. As a result, a global scientific network has established formal links between institutions to gain better insights into Cryptococcus and cryptococcosis, enabling collaborations amongst researchers with different backgrounds, perspectives and skills. Interdisciplinary projects include: (1) the study of the ecology and geographical distribution of the agents of cryptococcosis; (2) the application of new alternative methodologies for the rapid and accurate identification of the two sibling species and major molecular types/possible cryptic species (VNI-VNIV and VGI-VGIV); (3) the use of different animal models of infection to assess cryptococcal pathogenesis and virulence factors; and (4) population genetics studies directed towards the discovery of virulence/tissue tropism associated genetic signatures. These studies enrich the knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology of this mycosis and help to better comprehend fungal virulence, genetics, pathogenesis, antifungal susceptibility, as well as investigating the regional and global spread, to improve treatment options of the disease caused by these important emerging pathogenic yeasts.
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Vélez N, Escandón P. Distribution and association between environmental and clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans in Bogotá-Colombia, 2012-2015. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2016; 111:642-648. [PMID: 27706379 PMCID: PMC5066331 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760160201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The propagules of the fungal species Cryptococcus neoformans and
C. gattii, whose varieties are distributed world wide, are the
primary cause of cryptococcosis, a life threatening disease. The study of
environmental and clinical isolates of Cryptococcosis is an
important contribution to the epidemiology and ecology of the fungus. The aim of this
work was to determine the presence of C. neoformans and C.
gattii in the environment in Bogotá, Colombia’s capital city and to
establish the relation between clinical and environmental isolates in the period
2012-2015. From a total of 4.116 environmental samples collected between October 2012
- March 2014, 35 were positive for C. neoformans var.
grubii. From 55 cryptococcosis cases reported in Bogotá during
2012-2015, 49 isolates were recovered. From those, 94% were identified as C.
neoformans var. grubii molecular type VNI; 4% as VNII
and 1,2% as C. neoformans var neoformans VNIV. The
84 detected clinical and environmental isolates studied had a similarity between
49-100% according with molecular typing. The correlation between environmental and
clinical samples confirms the hypothesis that patients acquire the disease from
environmental exposure to the fungal propagules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norida Vélez
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
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Firacative C, Roe CC, Malik R, Ferreira-Paim K, Escandón P, Sykes JE, Castañón-Olivares LR, Contreras-Peres C, Samayoa B, Sorrell TC, Castañeda E, Lockhart SR, Engelthaler DM, Meyer W. MLST and Whole-Genome-Based Population Analysis of Cryptococcus gattii VGIII Links Clinical, Veterinary and Environmental Strains, and Reveals Divergent Serotype Specific Sub-populations and Distant Ancestors. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004861. [PMID: 27494185 PMCID: PMC4975453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging pathogen Cryptococcus gattii causes life-threatening disease in immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. Of the four major molecular types (VGI-VGIV), the molecular type VGIII has recently emerged as cause of disease in otherwise healthy individuals, prompting a need to investigate its population genetic structure to understand if there are potential genotype-dependent characteristics in its epidemiology, environmental niche(s), host range and clinical features of disease. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of 122 clinical, environmental and veterinary C. gattii VGIII isolates from Australia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, USA and Venezuela, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 60 isolates representing all established MLST types identified four divergent sub-populations. The majority of the isolates belong to two main clades, corresponding either to serotype B or C, indicating an ongoing species evolution. Both major clades included clinical, environmental and veterinary isolates. The C. gattii VGIII population was genetically highly diverse, with minor differences between countries, isolation source, serotype and mating type. Little to no recombination was found between the two major groups, serotype B and C, at the whole and mitochondrial genome level. C. gattii VGIII is widespread in the Americas, with sporadic cases occurring elsewhere, WGS revealed Mexico and USA as a likely origin of the serotype B VGIII population and Colombia as a possible origin of the serotype C VGIII population. Serotype B isolates are more virulent than serotype C isolates in a murine model of infection, causing predominantly pulmonary cryptococcosis. No specific link between genotype and virulence was observed. Antifungal susceptibility testing against six antifungal drugs revealed that serotype B isolates are more susceptible to azoles than serotype C isolates, highlighting the importance of strain typing to guide effective treatment to improve the disease outcome. Cryptococcus gattii, which is classically divided into four major molecular types (VGI-VGIV), and two serotypes B and C, is the second most important cause of cryptococcosis. The rising incidence of human and animal cryptococcosis cases caused by molecular type VGIII highlights the need for increased vigilance. In this study, we characterized a large set of C. gattii VGIII isolates. Genetic analysis revealed four diverging sub-populations, which were primarily associated with serotype B or C, and very likely originated from endemic regions in Colombia, Mexico and the USA. Differences in virulence and antifungal susceptibility between serotypes may result in different disease outcomes since serotype B isolates were more virulent in mice than serotype C isolates, but serotype C isolates were less susceptible to azoles, the primary treatment for uncomplicated cryptococcosis. Identification of cryptococcal serotype and molecular type in clinical practice has the potential to guide treatment regimens and hence reduce morbidity and mortality in both sporadic cases and those associated with outbreaks. Our study significantly contributes to the understanding of the epidemiology, genetics and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus and cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, Australia
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Chandler C. Roe
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- 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, Australia
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jane E. Sykes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Rocío Castañón-Olivares
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad National Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - 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 Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Shawn R. Lockhart
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David M. Engelthaler
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - 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, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Noguera MC, Escandón P, Castañeda E. Cryptococcosis in Atlántico, Colombia: an approximation of the prevalence of this mycosis and the distribution of the etiological agent in the environment. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2015; 48:580-6. [DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0178-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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15
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Mak S, Vélez N, Castañeda E, Escandón P. The Fungus among Us: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Ecological Modeling for Colombia. J Fungi (Basel) 2015; 1:332-344. [PMID: 29376914 PMCID: PMC5753128 DOI: 10.3390/jof1030332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The environmental isolation of Cryptococcus spp. is typically a difficult undertaking. Collecting samples in the field is costly in terms of travel, personnel time and materials. Furthermore, the recovery rate of Cryptococcus spp. may be very low, thereby requiring a large number of samples to be taken without any guarantee of success. Ecological niche modeling is a tool that has traditionally been used to forecast the distribution of plant and animal of species for biodiversity and conservation purposes. Here, we use it in a public health application to produce risk area maps for cryptococcal disease in Colombia. The Genetic Algorithm for Ruleset Production (GARP) was used to create models for Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) and Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii), based on environmental sampling and clinical records data recorded since 1987. These maps could be used to focus public health messaging related to cryptococcal disease, and it enables us to characterize the ecological niche for Cryptococcus in Colombia. We found that the OPEN ACCESS J. Fungi 2015, 1 333 ecological niche for C. gattii in Colombia is quite diverse, establishing itself in sub-tropical and temperate ecoregions within the country. This suggests that C. gattii is highly adaptive to different ecological conditions in Colombia and different regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Mak
- Public Health Analytics, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue,Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada.
| | - Nórida Vélez
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Av. Calle 26 No. 51-20, Bogotá, D.C. 111321, Colombia.
| | - Elizabeth Castañeda
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Av. Calle 26 No. 51-20, Bogotá, D.C. 111321, Colombia.
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Av. Calle 26 No. 51-20, Bogotá, D.C. 111321, Colombia.
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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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Long-term survival of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in stored environmental samples from Colombia. Rev Iberoam Micol 2014; 32:197-9. [PMID: 25725529 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii have been isolated from a variety of environmental sources in Colombia. AIM To determine the viability of C. neoformans/C. gattii isolates in stored soil samples, filtrates and bird droppings from which these yeasts were previously recovered. METHODS A total of 964 samples collected between 2003 and 2009, and kept at room temperature were processed. From them, 653 samples were from trees decaying wood, 274 from soil filtrates and 37 from bird droppings. When C. neoformans or C. gattii were recovered, the molecular type of each isolate was established by PCR fingerprinting using the single primer (GTG)5. RESULTS Among the processed samples, 161 isolates were recovered. From those, 81 (50.3%) corresponded to C. gattii recovered from decaying wood of Eucalyptus spp., Corymbia ficifolia, Terminalia catappa and Ficus spp. trees, and 80 (49.7%) corresponded to C. neoformans recovered from Ficus spp. and eucalyptus trees, as well as from bird droppings. The most prevalent molecular type among the C. gattii and C. neoformans isolates was VGII and VNI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The re-isolation of C. neoformans/C. gattii from 10-year stored samples suggests that these yeasts are able to keep viable in naturally colonized samples.
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Springer DJ, Billmyre RB, Filler EE, Voelz K, Pursall R, Mieczkowski PA, Larsen RA, Dietrich FS, May RC, Filler SG, Heitman J. Cryptococcus gattii VGIII isolates causing infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Southern California: identification of the local environmental source as arboreal. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004285. [PMID: 25144534 PMCID: PMC4140843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing Cryptococcus gattii outbreaks in the Western United States and Canada illustrate the impact of environmental reservoirs and both clonal and recombining propagation in driving emergence and expansion of microbial pathogens. C. gattii comprises four distinct molecular types: VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV, with no evidence of nuclear genetic exchange, indicating these represent distinct species. C. gattii VGII isolates are causing the Pacific Northwest outbreak, whereas VGIII isolates frequently infect HIV/AIDS patients in Southern California. VGI, VGII, and VGIII have been isolated from patients and animals in the Western US, suggesting these molecular types occur in the environment. However, only two environmental isolates of C. gattii have ever been reported from California: CBS7750 (VGII) and WM161 (VGIII). The incongruence of frequent clinical presence and uncommon environmental isolation suggests an unknown C. gattii reservoir in California. Here we report frequent isolation of C. gattii VGIII MATα and MATa isolates and infrequent isolation of VGI MATα from environmental sources in Southern California. VGIII isolates were obtained from soil debris associated with tree species not previously reported as hosts from sites near residences of infected patients. These isolates are fertile under laboratory conditions, produce abundant spores, and are part of both locally and more distantly recombining populations. MLST and whole genome sequence analysis provide compelling evidence that these environmental isolates are the source of human infections. Isolates displayed wide-ranging virulence in macrophage and animal models. When clinical and environmental isolates with indistinguishable MLST profiles were compared, environmental isolates were less virulent. Taken together, our studies reveal an environmental source and risk of C. gattii to HIV/AIDS patients with implications for the >1,000,000 cryptococcal infections occurring annually for which the causative isolate is rarely assigned species status. Thus, the C. gattii global health burden could be more substantial than currently appreciated. The environmentally-acquired human pathogen C. gattii is responsible for ongoing and expanding outbreaks in the Western United States and Canada. C. gattii comprises four distinct molecular types: VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV. Molecular types VGI, VGII, and VGIII have been isolated from patients and animals throughout the Western US. The Pacific Northwest and Canadian outbreak is primarily caused by C. gattii VGII. VGIII is responsible for ongoing infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Southern California. However, only two environmental C. gattii isolates have ever been identified from the Californian environment: CBS7750 (VGII) and WM161 (VGIII). We sought to collect environmental samples from areas that had confirmed reports of clinical or veterinary infections. Here we report the isolation of C. gattii VGI and VGIII from environmental soil and tree samples. C. gattii isolates were obtained from three novel tree species: Canary Island pine, American sweetgum, and a Pohutukawa tree. Genetic analysis provides robust evidence that these environmental isolates are the source of human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J. Springer
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DJS); (JH)
| | - R. Blake Billmyre
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Elan E. Filler
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rhiannon Pursall
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Piotr A. Mieczkowski
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Larsen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Fred S. Dietrich
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Scott G. Filler
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DJS); (JH)
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Mazza M, Refojo N, Bosco-Borgeat ME, Taverna CG, Trovero AC, Rogé A, Davel G. Cryptococcus gattiiin urban trees from cities in North-eastern Argentina. Mycoses 2013; 56:646-50. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mazza
- Mycology Department; INEI ‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’- ANLIS. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Argentina
| | - Nicolás Refojo
- Mycology Department; INEI ‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’- ANLIS. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Argentina
| | | | - Constanza Giselle Taverna
- Mycology Department; INEI ‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’- ANLIS. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Argentina
| | | | - Ariel Rogé
- Antigens and Antisera Laboratory; INPB - ANLIS. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Argentina
| | - Graciela Davel
- Mycology Department; INEI ‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’- ANLIS. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Argentina
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Chowdhary A, Prakash A, Randhawa HS, Kathuria S, Hagen F, Klaassen CH, Meis JF. First environmental isolation ofCryptococcus gattii, genotype AFLP5, from India and a global review. Mycoses 2013; 56:222-8. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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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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Byrnes EJ, Bartlett KH, Perfect JR, Heitman J. Cryptococcus gattii: an emerging fungal pathogen infecting humans and animals. Microbes Infect 2011; 13:895-907. [PMID: 21684347 PMCID: PMC3318971 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Infectious fungi are among a broad group of microbial pathogens that has and continues to emerge concomitantly due to the global AIDS pandemic as well as an overall increase of patients with compromised immune systems. In addition, many pathogens have been emerging and re-emerging, causing disease in both individuals who have an identifiable immune defect and those who do not. The fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii can infect individuals with and without an identifiable immune defect, with a broad geographic range including both endemic areas and emerging outbreak regions. Infections in patients and animals can be severe and often fatal if untreated. We review the molecular epidemiology, population structure, clinical manifestations, and ecological niche of this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmond J. Byrnes
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karen H. Bartlett
- School of Environmental Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - John R. Perfect
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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Abstract
Infections caused by the emerging pathogen Cryptococcus gattii are increasing in frequency in North America. During the past decade, interest in the pathogen has continued to grow, not only in North America but also in other areas of the world where infections have recently been documented. This review synthesizes existing data and raises issues that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Harris
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, MS C-09, Atlanta, GA 30309 USA.
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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