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Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
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Determining Potential Link between Environmental and Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii

Kenosi Kebabonye1, Mosimanegape Jongman2,3, Daniel Loeto2

  • 1School of Health Allied Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.

Mycobiology
|January 5, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cryptococcal infections in HIV/AIDS patients are rising. This study found a high prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans x Cryptococcus deneoformans hybrids and MATα mating types in Botswana, suggesting environmental links.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Opportunistic fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes are increasing in HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Despite advances in antifungal therapies, cryptococcal meningitis remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the diversity and mating types of Cryptococcus isolates from environmental and clinical samples in Botswana.
  • To investigate potential links between environmental and clinical Cryptococcus isolates.
  • To establish a foundation for understanding mating patterns and evolutionary history of Cryptococcus in Botswana.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of environmental and clinical (cerebrospinal fluid) Cryptococcus isolates from HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Identification and confirmation of isolates using MALDI-TOF MS and PCR.
  • Genomic diversity analysis via PCR fingerprinting and Oxford Nanopore sequencing of intergenic spacer regions.
  • Determination of mating types (MAT locus amplification) and serotyping.

Main Results:

  • An unusual high prevalence of 42.1% for Cryptococcus neoformans x Cryptococcus deneoformans hybrids (Serotype AD) was observed.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans Serotype A (39.5%) was the second most common type, followed by C. gattii (7.9%) and C. tetragattii (5.3%).
  • A significant proportion of isolates were MATα (44.7%) or MATα-MATα hybrids (42.1%), with only 13.2% being MATa.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a notable prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans x Cryptococcus deneoformans hybrids and MATα mating types in Botswana.
  • Findings suggest a potential epidemiological link between environmental and clinical Cryptococcus isolates in the region.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mating patterns and their implications for cryptococcal disease epidemiology in Botswana.
Keywords:
Cryptococcus gattiiCryptococcus neoformansOxford nanopore sequencinggenetic diversityintergenic spacer region

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