Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Automated Measurement of Cryptococcal Species Polysaccharide Capsule and Cell Body
Published on: January 11, 2018
Molecular types of Cryptococcus gattii/Cryptococcus neoformans species complex from clinical and environmental
Mourine Kangogo1, Oliver Bader2, Hamadi Boga1
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
Abstract:
Cryptococcal meningitis infections cause high mortality rates among HIV-infected patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. The high incidences of cryptococcal infections may be attributed to common environmental sources which, if identified, could lead to institution of appropriate control strategies. To determine the genotypes of Cryptococcus gattii/C. neoformans- species complex from Nairobi, Kenya, 123 clinical and environmental isolates were characterised. Typing was done using orotidine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (URA5) gene restriction fragment length polymorphism (URA5-RFLP). The majority of the isolates [105/123; 85.4%] were C. neoformans genotype (AFLPI/VNI) and 1.6% AFLP1A/VNB/VNII, whereas (13%) were C. gattii (AFLP4/VGI). This is the first report on the genotypes of C. gattii/C. neoformans species complex from clinical and environmental sources in Nairobi, Kenya and the isolation of C. gattii genotype AFLP4/VGI from the environment in Kenya.
Insights
Cryptococcal meningitis is deadly for HIV patients in Africa. This study identified Cryptococcus genotypes in Nairobi, Kenya, finding mostly Cryptococcus neoformans and some Cryptococcus gattii in clinical and environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Cryptococcal meningitis poses a significant threat to HIV-infected individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa, with high mortality rates.
- Identifying environmental sources of Cryptococcus species is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the genotypes of the Cryptococcus gattii/C. neoformans species complex in clinical and environmental isolates from Nairobi, Kenya.
- To establish the prevalence of different genotypes within this species complex in the Kenyan environment.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 123 clinical and environmental isolates using orotidine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (URA5) gene restriction fragment length polymorphism (URA5-RFLP).
Main Results:
- The majority of isolates (85.4%) were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans (genotype AFLPI/VNI), with a small proportion (1.6%) as AFLP1A/VNB/VNII.
- Cryptococcus gattii (genotype AFLP4/VGI) accounted for 13% of isolates, with this genotype being newly reported from the Kenyan environment.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first report on the genotypes of the C. gattii/C. neoformans species complex in Nairobi, Kenya.
- The findings highlight the presence of specific Cryptococcus genotypes in the environment, informing potential public health interventions.
