Eucalyptus Tree: A Potential Source of Cryptococcus neoformans in Egyptian Environment.

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Mycology
• Plant pathology

Background:

• Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) is ecologically significant worldwide.
• Eucalyptus trees are known habitats for Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of C. neoformans during the flowering season of E. camaldulensis in Egypt's Delta region.
• To update knowledge on the ecology of C. neoformans associated with Eucalyptus trees in the Egyptian environment.

Main Methods:

• Collected 311 samples (leaves, flowers, trunks) from 200 E. camaldulensis trees across four governorates.
• Isolated and identified C. neoformans using molecular methods (CAP64 primer) and serotyping (LAC1 gene).

Main Results:

• Recovered 13 C. neoformans isolates, indicating a prevalence of 4.2% in the surveyed samples.
• Molecular and serotype identification confirmed the presence of C. neoformans in the Egyptian Eucalyptus tree environment.

Conclusions:

• Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees in Egypt's Delta region harbor Cryptococcus neoformans.
• This study provides current ecological data on C. neoformans associated with Eucalyptus trees in Egypt.