The isolation and characterization of virulence factors of Cryptococcus spp. from saprophytic sources in the city of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil


Autoria(s): PEDROSO, Reginaldo S.; FERREIRA, Joseane C.; CANDIDO, Regina C.
Contribuinte(s)

UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO

Data(s)

19/10/2012

19/10/2012

2009

Resumo

Yeasts of the Cryptococcus genus are distributed in nature associated to animal and vegetal organic residues. Occasionally, species other than C. neoformans may be responsible for infectious diseases in human and animals. This study aims to determine the occurrence of Cryptococcus species in the atmosphere and bird droppings in the city of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate three virulence factors: capsule formation, growth at 37 degrees C and melanin production. We analyzed 86 environmental samples (54 droppings and 32 air). Of the 41 strains isolated, 15 were C. neoformans var. neoformans (12 droppings and 3 air), 15 C. albidus (12 droppings and 3 air), 9 C. laurentii (7 droppings and 2 air) and 2 C. uniguttulatus (from droppings). Capsules were produced by 93.3% of C. neoformans var. neoformans, 66.7% of C. albidus, 88.9% of C. laurentii and 50% (1/2) of C. uniguttulatus. All, strains of C. neoformans, 20% of C. albidus and 44.4% of C. laurentii were able to grow at 37 degrees C. The melanin production on DOPA agar was verified in C. neoformans (93.3%), C. albidus (26.7%) and C. laurentii (66.7%). We concluded that different Cryptococcus species coexist in the same ecological niche and they are able to produce virulence factors. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)

Identificador

MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, v.164, n.2, p.221-227, 2009

0944-5013

http://producao.usp.br/handle/BDPI/20247

10.1016/j.micres.2007.01.002

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2007.01.002

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

Relação

Microbiological Research

Direitos

closedAccess

Copyright ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

Palavras-Chave #Cryptococcus spp. #Saprophytic sources #Cryptococcosis #Bird droppings #NEOFORMANS VAR. GATTII #RIO-DE-JANEIRO #C-NEOFORMANS #LAURENTII #FUNGEMIA #PATIENT #MAINTENANCE #STRAINS #PIGEONS #ALBIDUS #Microbiology
Tipo

article

original article

publishedVersion