中国首株格特隐球菌VGII基因型分离株XH91的分子和表型特征鉴定

【目的】研究我国首次临床分离的一株格特隐球菌VGII基因型菌株(XH91)的分子和表型特征。【方法】对受试株XH91进行血清型的分子鉴定;选取核基因组和线粒体基因组中共16个基因片段进行多位点序列分型;对受试株进行单倍体繁育、同性交配及异性交配能力评价;观察受试株的黑色素生成、荚膜厚度及37℃生长等表型特征。【结果】我国首株格特隐球菌VGII基因型菌株XH91为血清B型;该菌株在多位点序列分型上与温哥华岛致病基因型VGIIb一致;XH91能与a交配型发生交配,产生担孢子,而不能与α交配型发生交配且不具备单倍体繁育能力;XH91的黑色素生成、荚膜厚度及37℃生长等表型特征与参考株无明显差异。【结论】我国首株格特隐球菌VGII基因型菌株XH91在基因型、表型特征上均与温哥华岛VGIIb基因亚型一致,该结果将为我国格特隐球菌VGII基因型的分子流行病学和疾病监控提供重要资料。     

格特隐球菌核基因、交配型位点和线粒体基因的多位点序列分型及重组分析

研究格特隐球菌VGI和VGII基因型菌株间线粒体基因重组与核基因、交配型位点重组间的关系。采用分子鉴定区分受试格特隐球菌的血清型、基因型和交配型;选取包含核基因和线粒体基因10个位点的多位点序列分型（ MLST）进行基因型和系统发育分析;采用同质性检验评价基因系谱间的一致性。多位点的序列和系统发育分析结合同质性检验表明,受试位点中,仅ATP6位点发现VGI和VGII菌株间基因的杂交和重组,该基因系谱与其余位点的基因系谱呈现不一致性。结果显示,受试的部分VGI菌株中的ATP6位点含有VGII菌株的基因序列,表明VGI和VGII菌株间线粒体基因的重组;没有发现核基因及交配型位点中两者间的重组,提示VGI和VGII菌株间线粒体基因的重组现象与交配行为无关。     

广西地区隐球菌感染的临床特征、菌种鉴定及体外抗真菌药物敏感性CSCD

目的分析广西地区隐球菌感染的临床特征、致病菌种鉴定及其体外药物敏感性。方法收集86例确诊隐球菌病患者(14例为HIV阳性,72例为HIV阴性)中分离出103株隐球菌及其患者资料并对其临床特征进行分析,使用MALDI-TOF MS和ITS区测序分子鉴定方法,92株被鉴定为新生隐球菌grubii变种,11株被鉴定为格特隐球菌。使用CLSI M27-A4方法对菌株进行常用抗真菌药物氟康唑、两性霉素B、5-氟胞嘧啶、伊曲康唑、伏立康唑、泊沙康唑和艾沙康唑体外药物敏感性测试。结果①86例患者(男性59名,女性27名),年龄为21~84岁,其中55人无基础疾病,31人有基础疾病。②由于目前对于隐球菌尚无泊沙康唑、艾沙康唑和两性霉素B的折点,因此参考了念珠菌属的数据,所有菌株对大多数抗真菌药物敏感。抗真菌药物对新生隐球菌grubii变种最低抑菌浓度范围为:氟康唑0.05~4μg/mL,两性霉素B 0.25~1μg/mL,5-氟胞嘧啶0.0625~2μg/mL,伊曲康唑0.0625~0.25μg/mL,伏立康唑0.0078~0.25μg/mL,泊沙康唑0.0313~0.5μg/mL,艾沙康唑0.0020~0.125μg/mL。抗真菌药物对格特隐球菌最低抑菌浓度范围为:氟康唑1~16μg/mL,5-氟胞嘧啶0.125~1μg/mL,两性霉素B 0.25~1μg/mL,伊曲康唑0.0625~0.25μg/mL,伏立康唑0.0156~0.125μg/mL,泊沙康唑0.0156~0.25μg/mL,艾沙康唑0.0078~0.125μg/mL。结论MALDI-TOF MS是一种快速可靠的鉴定隐球菌的方法。广西地区分离隐球菌对临床抗真菌药物敏感,抗真菌药敏试验有助于早期发现耐药菌株,对有效地治疗隐球菌病具有重要意义。     

新疆首次临床分离新生隐球菌菌株分子鉴定、基因分型及体外药物敏感性研究

目的对新疆首次临床分离的5株新生隐球菌进行分子鉴定、RAPD-PCR基因分型及体外药物敏感性研究。方法5株新生隐球菌分子鉴定采用核糖体DNA大亚基(LSU rDNA)D1/D2基因区域分子鉴定。分子分型采用引物SEQ-6结合RAPD-PCR法扩增5株新疆临床分离新生隐球菌菌株及5株由上海长征医院提供分离自上海新生隐球菌菌株,根据扩增产物带型进行基因型判定。采用临床实验室标准化协会(CLSI)的酵母微量液基稀释法(M27-A3)测定5株新疆临床分离新生隐球菌菌株对6种抗真菌药(伏立康唑、伊曲康唑、两性霉素B、特比萘芬、氟康唑、5-氟胞嘧啶)的体外敏感性。结果 5株新疆临床分离隐球菌菌株经过D1/D2区域序列分析在基因Bank中比对后鉴定为新生隐球菌。5株新疆临床分离新生隐球菌和5株上海新生隐球菌菌株经RAPD-PCR法扩增,带型显示分为A、B、C、D 4个基因型,其中新疆5株菌株A型1株、其余4株均为B型,上海菌株B型为1株,C型3株、D型1株,5株新疆临床分离新生隐球菌株对伏立康唑、伊曲康唑、两性霉素B、特比萘芬的MIC值(μg/mL)范围依次为:0.062 5~0.25、0.25~1、0.125~0.5、1~2,对氟康唑、5-氟胞嘧啶MIC值较高,MIC值范围依次为:4~16、8~32。结论新疆临床分离5株隐球菌株采用D1/D2基因序列鉴定为新生隐球菌。RAPD-PCR分型显示新疆临床分离5株新生隐球菌株以B型基因型为主。A型和B型对伏立康唑、两性霉素B敏感,对伊曲康唑、特比萘芬剂量依赖型敏感,对氟康唑、5-氟胞嘧啶耐药。     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者的新生隐球菌基因多态性研究

本文旨在调查2003 年1 月― 2007 年12 月分离自上海地区获得性免疫缺陷综合征( AIDS) 患者的新生隐球菌临床株的配型及基因型分布特征, 为隐球菌病的诊疗提供科学依据。首先以M13 为单引物对模板DNA 进行聚合酶链反应( PCR) 扩增, 参照标准株指纹图将临床株鉴定至基因型; 同时对12 株来自AIDS 患者的新生隐球菌临床株的内转录间隔区( ITS) 基因进行PCR 扩增、序列分析, 以CLUSTAL W1. 83 软件多重比对分析ITS序列的差别,MEGA3. 1 软件处理数据, NJ 法绘制系统进化树, Bootstrapping 法对系统进化树结果进行统计学检验, 区分新生隐球菌格鲁比变种、新生变种及格特变种菌株; 最后选用特异性引物PCR 特异性扩增相关基因, 鉴定α和a 配型。结果显示, 分离自上海地区的12 株隐球菌临床株中, 9 株( 75% ) 为VNⅠ基因型/ α配型菌株,3 株( 25%) 为VNⅡ基因型/ α配型菌株, 且ITS基因序列分析可将各临床株鉴定至变种水平。本研究提示, 分离自上海地区AIDS患者的新生隐球菌临床株存在一定的遗传多态性, 以VNⅠ基因型/ α配型菌株为主, 有少量VNⅡ基因型/ α配型菌株。     

34例HIV患者新生隐球菌感染分子流行病学及临床特点分析

目的了解HIV患者新生隐球菌感染的分子流行病学及其临床特点,为HIV患者新生隐球菌感染的预防和治疗提供依据。方法收集首次分离自HIV患者的新生隐球菌34株,回顾性分析患者一般资料;VITEK MS质谱仪进行菌种鉴定,ATB Fungus3测定新生隐球菌对5种抗真菌药物的MIC值;利用PCR对特异性引物扩增,确定变种和交配型;多位点序列分型(MLST)对菌株进行分子遗传学分析。结果 34株新生隐球菌绝大部分分离自中年男性,且主要来自脑脊液(73.5%)标本;初次脑脊液压力平均为(27.26±11.52)mmH2O,CD4细胞计数中位数28cells/μL(3~163cells/μL),脑脊液白细胞中位计数32(2~110)×106/L,蛋白质定量中位数为362 mg/L(160~2 730 mg/L),葡萄糖含量中位数为2.28mmol/L(1.50~5.98mmol/L);所有菌株对5种抗真菌药均敏感,且所有菌株均为Aα、VNⅠ型;MLST分析共检出3种ST型,ST5(n=32)、ST32(n=1)和ST186(n=1)。结论近两年本地区HIV合并新生隐球菌感染主要以中年男性多见,常规实验室检查缺乏特异性,对临床常用抗真菌药物耐药性不强,ST5是其感染的主要克隆系。     

云南省艾滋病患者新生隐球菌药物敏感性与临床分析CSCD

目的了解云南省艾滋病患者中新生隐球菌病的病原分离部位、耐药性及临床治疗效果。方法对2010年1月至2020年12月临床总共分离的424株新生隐球菌,用VITEK2 Compact全自动微生物分析仪鉴定菌种,ATB FUNGUS 3检测5种抗真菌药物的敏感性,并对临床资料进行分析。结果424株新生隐球菌以脑脊液检出比例最高,占62.50%(265/424);血液次之,占30.90%(131/424);第三是痰液,占2.83%(12/424)。424株新生隐球菌对唑类抗真菌药物伊曲康唑和伏立康唑MIC范围均≤2μg/mL,多烯类的两性霉素B MIC范围≤4μg/mL,氟康唑及5-氟胞嘧啶的MIC范围≤64μg/mL。对两性霉素B、氟康唑、5-氟胞嘧啶的敏感性分别为95.28%(404/424)、80.66%(342/424)、75.71%(321/424)。5种抗真菌药物的流行病学折点分别为:5-氟胞嘧啶和氟康唑16μg/mL;两性霉素B、伊曲康唑和伏立康唑0.5μg/mL。结论新生隐球菌对两性霉素B的敏感性较好,而氟康唑及5-氟胞嘧啶在多年的临床用药过程中已慢慢出现非敏感菌株,伊曲康唑和伏立康唑MIC范围≤2μg/mL。新生隐球菌药敏试验结果为临床医生用药提供参考依据。新生隐球菌病治疗首选两性霉素B与5-氟胞嘧啶联合治疗。隐球菌作为临床重要的致病真菌,实验室及临床均应给予高度重视。     

格特隐球菌在河北地区引起1例脑膜炎的临床与实验研究

目的报道1例我国河北地区由格特隐球菌引起的脑膜炎,并对该菌进行试验研究。方法将分离自患者脑脊液中的隐球菌分别接种于Chromagar显色培养基和刀豆氨酸-甘氨酸-溴麝香草酚蓝(CGB)培养基35℃培养,使用API 20C AUX、全自动微生物鉴定仪Vitek 2 Compact、生物梅里埃基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱分析(MALDI-TOF MS)、r DNA ITS和IGS序列分析等方法对该菌进行菌种鉴定,并使用ATB FUNGUS 3进行抗真菌药敏试验。结果该菌在显色培养基上35℃培养48 h后为白色略带粉色菌落,在CGB培养基35℃培养5 d后使CGB培养基由黄色变为蓝色。API 20C AUX、Vitek 2 Compact和MALDI-TOF MS的鉴定结果均为新生隐球菌,r DNA ITS和IGS序列分析均提示该菌为格特隐球菌。5-氟胞嘧啶、两性霉素B、氟康唑、伊曲康唑、伏立康唑对该菌的最小抑菌浓度分别是≤4μg/m L、≤0.5μg/m L、≤1μg/m L、≤0.125μg/m L、≤0.06μg/m L。结论 CGB培养基、r DNA ITS和IGS序列分析能够区分新生隐球菌和格特隐球菌,应重视格特隐球菌的分离鉴定。     

39株指/趾甲分离黄曲霉复合体(Aspergillus section Flavi)菌种鉴定和抗真菌药物敏感性

目的对来自伊朗马什哈德地区(Mashhad, Iran)甲真菌病患者指/趾甲分离的39株黄曲霉复合体(Aspergillus section Flavi)菌株进行菌种鉴定及抗真菌药物敏感性研究。方法菌种鉴定采用β-tubulin/calmodulin基因测序的分子鉴定联合MALDI-TOF质谱鉴定;体外药物敏感性试验参照CLSI M38-A3方案检测包括特比萘芬、新三唑类药物、棘白菌素类等10种抗真菌药物。结果基于形态学鉴定的39株黄曲霉复合体(Aspergillus section Flavi)菌株中,分子鉴定结果表明38株为Aspergillus flavus(A.flavus)/Aspergillus oryzae(A.oryzae),1株为Aspergillus minisclerotigenes(A.minisclerotigenes)。对38株分子鉴定为A.flavus/A.oryzae菌株采用MALDI-TOF质谱鉴定结果为A.flavus,而MALDI-TOF质谱错误鉴定同形菌种A.minisclerotigenes为A.flavus。抗真菌药物敏感性结果表明,特比萘芬、泊沙康唑和棘白菌素类药物对黄曲霉复合体(Aspergillus section Flavi)菌种均具有抗真菌活性。结论分子鉴定联合MALDI-TOF质谱鉴定可准确鉴定黄曲霉复合体菌株到菌种水平,特别是分子鉴定不能区分A.flavus/A.oryzae,而MALDI-TOF鉴定可将二者区分。完善参考菌种数据库是MALDI-TOF质谱准确鉴定的关键。特比萘芬、泊沙康唑和棘白菌素类药物可作为治疗黄曲霉复合体(Aspergillus section Flavi)菌种所致甲真菌病的潜在有效药物。     

烟曲霉再鉴定、标准化CSP分型及体外药物敏感性

目的 了解烟曲霉复合体临床株菌种分布,经典烟曲霉临床株CSP基因型及对常见抗真菌药物敏感性状况.方法 菌株来源:北京大学真菌和真菌病研究中心保存分离自125名患者的162株烟曲霉复合体菌株.通过形态学,最高生长温度及分子生物学测序分步鉴定;对CSP基因进行扩增、测序,采用国际化命名体系进行CSP分型;采用微量液基稀释法测定经典烟曲霉对伊曲康唑(ITC)、两性霉素B(AMB)、伏立康唑(VRC)及卡泊芬净(CAS)的敏感性.结果 所有烟曲霉复合体菌株均为经典烟曲霉;共分为16个CSP基因型,最常见为t04A、t03和t01;分离自4名患者的13株菌对ITC的MICs≥4 μg/mL,其中2株菌AMB和VRC的MICa分别为4μg/mL和16 μg/mL.CAS的MECs最高为4μg/mL,仅1株.结论 未检出烟曲霉相关新种;经典烟曲霉临床株共16个CSP基因型,分布与国际研究结果基本一致,其中5个为新型.我国经典烟曲霉临床株ITC耐药率为3.2％,个别菌株AMB,VRC和CAS耐药.     

Promiscuous mitochondria in Cryptococcus gattii

Cryptococcus gattii is a primary pathogenic basidiomycetous yeast comprising four genotypic groups. Here we present data on two mitochondrial loci (MtLrRNA and ATP6 ). Two of the genotypic groups, namely amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)5/VGIII and AFLP6/VGII, formed monophyletic lineages. The AFLP4/VGI genotypic group, however, possessed five different mitochondrial genotypes that did not form a monophyletic lineage. The majority of these isolates contained mitochondrial genomes that are partially identical to those found in isolates belonging to AFLP6/VGII, which is causing the ongoing and expanding Vancouver Island outbreak. Two out of four AFLP7/VGIV isolates contained an AFLP4/VGI allele of MtLrRNA. These observations are best explained by assuming a process of mitochondrial recombination. If this is true, mitochondrial recombination seems possible between cells belonging to different genotypic groups of C. gattii , especially between AFLP6/VGII or AFLP7/VGIV and AFLP4/VGI. We also have to assume that mitochondria, most likely, were transferred from cells belonging to AFLP6/VGII to AFLP4/VGI. As such a process of mitochondrial recombination is only possible after cell–cell conjugation, this may also allow the further exchange of genetic material, for example nuclear or plasmid in nature, between different genotypes of C. gattii . This may be relevant as it may provide a possible mechanism contributing to the modulation of virulence attributes of isolates, such as has been observed in the ongoing Vancouver Island outbreak of C. gattii .     

Genotype and mating type analysis of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii isolates from China that mainly originated from non-HIV-infected patients

Cryptococcosis has been reported to be mostly associated with non-HIV-related patients in China. However, little is known about the molecular characteristics of clinical isolates from the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex in this country. In this study, 115 clinical isolates were included. Molecular type VNI was the most representative ( n =103), followed by VGI ( n =8), VNIII ( n =2), VNIV ( n =1), and VGII ( n =1). With the exception of a serotype D mating type a isolate, all possessed the MAT α locus. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that most Cryptococcus gattii isolates from China shared identical MLST profiles with the most common MLST genotype reported in the VGI group, and the only one VGII isolate resembled the Vancouver Island outbreak minor genotype. The C. gattii strains involved in this study were successfully grouped according to their molecular type and mating types by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the GEF1 gene. Our results suggest that (1) in China, cryptococcosis is mostly caused by C. neoformans var. grubii (molecular type VNI), and mating type α; (2) The most common causative agents of C. gattii infection in China are closely related to a widely distributed MLST genotype; and (3) The PCR-RFLP analysis of the GEF1 gene has the potential to identify the molecular and mating types of C. gattii simultaneously.     

Regional pattern of the molecular types of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Brazil

The molecular types of 443 Brazilian isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii were analyzed to determine their geographic distribution within Brazil and their underlying host conditions. The following data, imported from previous epidemiological studies as well as two culture collections, were analyzed for: place of isolation, source (clinical or environmental), host risk factors, species, serotype, mating type, and molecular type. Molecular typing by PCR-fingerprinting using primers for the minisatellite-specific core sequence of the wild-type phage M13 or microsatellites [(GACA)4, (GTG)5], restriction fragment length polymorphism of URA5 gene analysis, and/or amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) identified eight major genotypes: VNI/AFLP1, VNII/AFLP1A, VNIII/AFLP2, and VNIV/AFLP3 for C. neoformans, and VGI/AFLP4, VGII/AFLP6, VGIII/AFLP5, and VGIV/AFLP7 for C. gattii. The most common molecular type found in Brazil was VNI (64%), followed by VGII (21%), VNII (5%), VGIII (4%), VGI and VNIV (3% each), and VNIII (< 1%). Primary cryptococcosis caused by the molecular type VGII (serotype B, MAT) prevails in immunocompetent hosts in the North and Northeast regions, disclosing an endemic regional pattern for this specific molecular type in the Northern Brazil.     

Presence of pathogenic cryptococci on trees situated in two recreational areas in South Africa

Knowledge of the environmental prevalence of members of the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex is important, since cryptococcal infection is acquired from the environment. We determined whether trees located in two South African recreational areas harboured pathogenic cryptococci and compared the isolates to clinical isolates obtained from Western Cape hospitals with molecular typing techniques. The majority of isolates originating from trees in a public park in Cape Town (PPCT) were C. gattii sensu stricto, followed by C. neoformans sensu stricto genotype AFLP1/VNI. The PPCT trees might be a source of infection, since all genotype AFLP1/VNI isolates from these trees and one clinical isolate belonged to the same sequence type (ST), i.e. ST23. Recombination and basidiospore production might be occurring in PPCT trees that contained C. gattii s.s. isolates belonging to both mating types. The presence of C. gattii s.s. in PPCT trees might therefore pose a risk to human health.     

Clonality and recombination in genetically differentiated subgroups of Cryptococcus gattii

Cryptococcus gattii is a pathogenic yeast that together with Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcosis in humans and animals. High numbers of viable C. gattii propagules can be obtained from certain species of Australian Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees, and an epidemiological link between Eucalyptus colonization and human exposure has been proposed. However, the highest prevalence of C. gattii cryptococcosis occurs in Papua New Guinea and in regions of Australia where the eucalypt species implicated to date are not endemic. This study investigated the population structure of three geographically distinct clinical and veterinary populations of C. gattii from Australia and Papua New Guinea. All populations that consisted of a genotype found frequently in Australia (VGI) were strongly clonal and were highly differentiated from one another. Two populations of the less common VGII genotype from Sydney and the Northern Territory had population structures inferring recombination. In addition, there was some evidence of reduced genetic differentiation between these geographically remote regions. In a companion study presented in this issue, VGII isolates were overwhelmingly more fertile than those of the VGI genotype, giving biological support to the indirect assessment of sexual exchange. It appears that the VGI genotype propagates clonally on eucalypts in Australia and on an unknown substrate in Papua New Guinea, with infection initiated by an unidentified infectious propagule. VGII isolates are completing their life cycles and may be dispersed via sexually produced basidiospores, which are also likely to initiate respiratory infection.     

Genotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii as agents of endemic cryptococcosis in Teresina, Piauí (northeastern Brazil)

Throughout Brazil, Cryptococcus neoformans is the cause of cryptococcosis, whereas Cryptococcus gattii is endemic to the northern and northeastern states. In this study, the molecular types of 63 cryptococcal isolates recovered from the cerebrospinal fluid of meningitis patients diagnosed between 2008-2010 in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, were analysed. Out of the 63 patients, 37 (58.7%) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and 26 (41.3%) were HIV-negative. URA5-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis identified 37/63 (58.7%) isolates as the C. neoformans VNI genotype, predominantly in HIV-positive patients (32/37, 86.5%), and 24/63 (38.1%) as the C. gattii VGII genotype, mostly in HIV-negative patients (21/26, 80.8%). The occurrence of C. gattii VGII in six apparently healthy children and in seven adolescents/young adults in this region reaffirms the endemic occurrence of C. gattii VGII-induced primary cryptococcosis and early cryptococcal infection. Lethality occurred in 18/37 (48.6%) of the HIV-positive subjects and in 13/26 (50%) of the HIV-negative patients. Our results provide new information on the molecular epidemiology of C. neoformans and C. gattii in Brazilian endemic areas.     

Identification of Novel Hybrids Between Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii VNI and Cryptococcus gattii VGII

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are pathogenic yeasts causing meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. The fungus is typically haploid, and sexual reproduction occurs normally between individuals with opposite mating types, α and a. C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) is comprised of molecular types VNI, VNII, and VNB, and C. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) contains the molecular type VNIV. Additionally, diploid or aneuploid AD hybrids (VNIII) have been reported. C. gattii contains the molecular types VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV, which encompass both serotypes B and C. To identify possible hybrid strains, URA5-RFLP analysis was performed on 350 globally obtained clinical, environmental, and veterinary isolates. Four clinical isolates from cerebrospinal fluid showed combination patterns of C. neoformans var. grubii and C. gattii: Brazil (n = 2), Colombia (n = 1), and India (n = 1). These strains were monokaryotic and diploid or aneuploid. M13 PCR fingerprinting showed that they contained fragments of both proposed parental groups. Luminex IGS genotyping identified these isolates as hybrids with two different molecular type combinations: three VNI/VGII and one VNI/VGI. Blue color development on CGB agar was delayed in three isolates and absent in one. C. gattii-specific PCR confirmed the presence of C. gattii in the hybrids. CAP59 allele-specific PCR revealed that all the hybrids contained both serotype A and B alleles. Determination of mating-type allelic patterns by PCR revealed that the isolates were αA aB. This is the first study discovering novel natural hybrids between C. neoformans molecular type VNI and C. gattii molecular type VGII.     

Unique hybrids between the fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are yeasts that cause meningoencephalitis, but that differ in host range and geographical distribution. Cryptococcus neoformans occurs world-wide and mostly infects immunocompromised patients, whereas C. gattii occurs mainly in (sub)tropical regions and infects healthy individuals. Anomalous C. neoformans strains were isolated from patients. These strains were found to be monokaryotic, and diploid or aneuploid. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and sequence analyses indicated that AFLP genotypes 2 (C. neoformans) and 4 (C. gattii) were present. The strains were serologically BD. Mating- and serotype-specific PCR reactions showed that the strains were MATa-serotype D/MATalpha-serotype B. This study is the first to describe naturally occurring hybrids between C. neoformans and C. gattii.     

Cryptococcus gattii Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient from Southern Italy

Cryptococcus gattii has becoming more prevalent in temperate climate zones, during the past decades. We describe a C. gattii serotype B infection in an immunocompetent Italian patient with sclerosing cholangitis. The patient traveled once to Eastern Canada and otherwise no other countries than Italy were visited. Molecular analysis revealed that the C. gattii isolate belong to genotype AFLP4/VGI and has mating-type α which is the most common genotype in the Mediterranean environment. The C. gattii strain was found to be closely related, but not identical, to other C. gattii strains from the Mediterranean area.