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Genotypes of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Korea
So Hae Park1, Seok Cheol Choi1, Kyung Won Lee2
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Catholic University of Pusan, Busan 46252, Korea.
Abstract:
Multilocus sequence typing analysis was applied to determine the genotypes of 147 (137 clinical and 10 environmental) Cryptococcus neoformans and three clinical Cryptococcus gattii isolates from 1993 to 2014 in Korea. Among the 137 clinical isolates of C. neoformans, the most prevalent genotype was ST5 (n = 131), followed by ST31 (n = 5) and ST127 (n = 1). Three C. gattii strains were identified as ST57, ST7, and ST113. All environmental isolates were identified as C. neoformans with two genotypes, ST5 (n = 7) and ST31 (n = 3). Our results show that C. neoformans isolates in Korea are genetically homogeneous, and represent a close genetic relationship between clinical and environmental isolates.
Insights
Cryptococcus neoformans in Korea shows genetic homogeneity, with genotype ST5 dominating clinical and environmental isolates. This indicates a close genetic link between human and environmental strains.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are significant fungal pathogens.
- Understanding the genetic diversity of these fungi is crucial for epidemiology and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the genotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii isolates in Korea.
- To analyze the genetic relationship between clinical and environmental isolates.
Main Methods:
- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was employed.
- Analysis included 137 clinical and 10 environmental C. neoformans isolates, plus 3 clinical C. gattii isolates.
- Isolates were collected between 1993 and 2014.
Main Results:
- Genotype ST5 was the most prevalent (n=131) among clinical C. neoformans isolates.
- Environmental C. neoformans isolates were also predominantly ST5 (n=7) and ST31 (n=3).
- Three C. gattii strains were identified as ST57, ST7, and ST113.
Conclusions:
- Cryptococcus neoformans isolates in Korea exhibit significant genetic homogeneity.
- A close genetic relationship exists between clinical and environmental C. neoformans isolates in Korea.
