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Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
07:32

Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Published on: March 19, 2015

Characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from urban environmental sources in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil

Cláudia Castelo Branco Artiaga Kobayashi1, Lúcia Kioko Hasimoto e Souza, Orionalda de Fátima Lisboa Fernandes

  • 1Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.

Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo
|September 3, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Environmental samples in Goiânia, Brazil, revealed Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus causing cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV. All isolates were susceptible to common antifungal drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental Microbiology

Background:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic encapsulated yeast causing meningoencephalitis, especially in HIV-infected individuals.
  • This fungus is commonly found in avian-rich soil and plant material, representing an environmental hazard.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate environmental sources of Cryptococcus species in Goiânia, Goiás State.
  • To determine the varieties, serotypes, and antifungal susceptibility of environmental C. neoformans isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 290 environmental samples (avian droppings, soil, Eucalyptus-associated material).
  • Identified C. neoformans isolates and determined their variety and serotype.
  • Performed in vitro susceptibility testing against fluconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B.

Main Results:

  • C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) was identified in 20.3% of pigeon droppings and 14.3% of Eucalyptus samples.
  • No environmental C. neoformans isolates exhibited in vitro resistance to the tested antifungal agents.

Conclusions:

  • Pigeon droppings and Eucalyptus-associated environments are potential sources of C. neoformans in Goiânia.
  • Environmental C. neoformans isolates in this region are susceptible to key antifungal medications, suggesting environmental control and early treatment are crucial for managing cryptococcosis.

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