Prevalence, molecular and phenotypic profiles of arboreal associated Cryptococcus neoformans in Botswana

Mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) is one of the main ecological niches of Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcosis primarily on immunocompromised hosts after inhalation of basidiospores from the environment. Hence, we investigated the prevalence, and phenotypically (antifungal resistance and biofilm formation capacity) and genotypically (mating type and genetic structure) characterized C. neoformans isolated from C. mopane, Acacia tortilis, Adansonia digitata and Ziziphus mucronata in Botswana. We report 7.1% and 2.9% prevalence of C. neoformans in C. mopane and other trees, respectively. All tested C. neoformans isolates were determined to be non-WT to fluconazole. Most isolates (65%) of C. neoformans isolates were biofilm producers. Mating type determination revealed a higher proportion of the globally rare MATa allele (53%) and a single MATα/MATa hybrid. The observed genotypeswere VNI (71%), VNB (23%) and VNB/VNB hybrids (6%). Native trees other than C. mopane are alternative ecological niches of antifungal resistant C. neoformans, and this represents a serious public health concern,and this represents a serious public health concern, especially for high-risk populations. Prevalence of C. neoformans on native trees and the observed emergence of hybrids (evidence of sexual recombination) highlight the need for increased surveillance and risk assessment within a One Health paradigm.