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Molecular characterization of environmental Cryptococcus neoformans VNII isolates in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

N E Nnadi1, I B Enweani2, M Cogliati3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Plateau State University, P.M.B 2012, Bokkos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Journal De Mycologie Medicale
|May 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified Cryptococcus neoformans in pigeon droppings in Nigeria, characterizing the pathogen

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental Microbiology

Background:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans causes fatal fungal infections, particularly cryptococcosis, a leading cause of central nervous system infections.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia bear a significant burden of cryptococcosis.
  • Bird excreta are recognized environmental reservoirs for C. neoformans in urban settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and molecularly characterize Cryptococcus neoformans from pigeon droppings in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
  • To understand the environmental distribution of C. neoformans genotypes and mating types in Nigeria.
  • To contribute to disease management strategies for cryptococcosis.

Main Methods:

  • Collection and analysis of 100 pigeon dropping samples.
  • Isolation and identification of yeast using phenotypic and biochemical tests.
  • Molecular analysis including multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Main Results:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from three pigeon dropping samples.
  • All three isolates were identified as C. neoformans genotype VNII, mating type α.
  • The isolates were assigned to sequence type ST43 via MLST.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first molecular characterization of C. neoformans in Nigeria.
  • The findings highlight the presence of a specific genotype (VNII) and mating type (α) of C. neoformans in the Nigerian environment.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full environmental distribution and epidemiological significance of C. neoformans genotypes in Nigeria.
Keywords:
Cryptococcus neoformansEnvironmentEnvironnementMating typesMolecular typesNigeria

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