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Isolation, Identification and Molecular Typing of Cryptococcus neoformans from Pigeon Droppings and Other
Mohamed S Ellabib1, Mohamed A Aboshkiwa1, Walid M Husien1
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tripoli University, Tripoli, Libya.
Abstract:
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are the major cause of fungal meningitis, a potentially lethal mycosis. Since pigeon excreta and other environmental sources can be considered a significant environmental reservoir of this species in urban areas, 100 samples of pigeon excreta and 420 samples from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Olea europaea (olive tree) around the city of Tripoli, Libya, were collected. C. neoformans was isolated and identified using standard biochemical assays from 46 samples: 34 from pigeon droppings, 3 from Eucalyptus trees and 9 from olive trees. Molecular typing revealed that all isolates from pigeon droppings belonged to molecular type VNI (C. neoformans var. grubii) and mating type αA, whereas those from trees included also the molecular type VNII and VNIII (AD hybrids). The present study reports, for the first time, information about the distribution of species, mating types and molecular types of C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex in Libya.
Insights
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii cause fungal meningitis. This study identified C. neoformans in Libyan pigeon droppings and trees, revealing their environmental distribution and molecular types.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are primary etiological agents of cryptococcosis, a serious fungal meningitis.
- Environmental sources, such as pigeon excreta and certain trees, serve as significant reservoirs for these fungal species in urban settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and molecular characteristics of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex in Tripoli, Libya.
- To identify environmental sources harboring these fungi, specifically pigeon excreta and trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Olea europaea).
Main Methods:
- Collection of 100 pigeon excreta samples and 420 tree samples from Tripoli, Libya.
- Isolation and identification of Cryptococcus species using standard biochemical assays.
- Molecular typing of isolates to determine species, mating types, and molecular types (VNI, VNII, VNIII).
Main Results:
- Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from 46 samples: 34 from pigeon droppings, 3 from Eucalyptus trees, and 9 from olive trees.
- All pigeon droppings isolates were identified as molecular type VNI (C. neoformans var. grubii) with mating type αA.
- Tree isolates included molecular types VNII and VNIII (AD hybrids), alongside VNI.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first report on the distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex in Libya.
- Pigeon droppings and specific tree species in Tripoli represent environmental niches for C. neoformans.
- The presence of diverse molecular and mating types highlights the complex epidemiology of cryptococcosis in the region.
