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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
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Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
Published on: May 27, 2022
[Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from environmental samples in Alicante]
M F Colom Valiente1, M Alberdi, I Meseguer
1Dpto. Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Campus San Juan, 03080-Alicante, Spain. Colom@ua.es
Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Cryptococcus neoformans yeast was found in Alicante pigeon feces, with captive pigeons showing a higher prevalence (81.5%) than urban pigeons (16.3%). Eucalyptus camaldulensis tissues did not yield C. neoformans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Environmental Microbiology
Context:
- Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- Environmental surveillance is crucial for understanding pathogen reservoirs.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in environmental samples in Alicante, Spain.
- To identify potential sources of C. neoformans in urban and captive environments.
Summary:
- The study examined pigeon feces and Eucalyptus camaldulensis tissues for C. neoformans.
- A significantly higher prevalence of C. neoformans was observed in captive pigeon feces (81.5%) compared to urban pigeon feces (16.3%).
- All identified C. neoformans isolates were C. neoformans var. neoformans; no C. neoformans was found in E. camaldulensis, though other Cryptococcus species were isolated.
Impact:
- Highlights captive pigeons as a significant reservoir for C. neoformans.
- Informs public health strategies for managing fungal infections in the region.
- Suggests Eucalyptus camaldulensis is not a primary environmental source for C. neoformans in this area.
