Multilocus sequence typing of strains from the Cryptococcus gattii species complex from different continents

The genus Cryptococcus comprises more than 80 species, including C. neoformans and C. gattii, which are pathogenic to humans, mainly affecting the central nervous system. The two species differ in geographic distribution and environmental niche. C. neoformans has a worldwide distribution and is often isolated from bird droppings. On the contrary, C. gattii is reported in tropical and subtropical regions and is associated with Eucalyptus species. This review aims to describe the distribution of environmental isolates of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex and the Cryptococcus gattii species complex in Colombia. A systematic investigation was carried out using different databases, excluding studies of clinical isolates reported in the country. The complex of the species of C. gattii is recovered mainly from trees of the genus Eucalyptus spp., while the complex of the species of C. neoformans is recovered mainly from avian excrement, primarily Columba livia (pigeons) excrement. In addition, greater positivity was found at high levels of relative humidity. Likewise, an association was observed between the presence of the fungus in places with little insolation and cold or temperate temperatures compared to regions with high temperatures.

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Darunavir inhibits Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex growth and increases the susceptibility of biofilms to antifungal drugs

Journal of Medical Microbiology ◽

10.1099/jmm.0.001194 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 69 (6) ◽

pp. 830-837

Author(s):

Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante ◽

José Alexandre Telmos Silva ◽

Géssica dos Santos Araújo ◽

Vandbergue Santos Pereira ◽

Wilker Jose Perez Gotay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽

Amphotericin B ◽

Metabolic Activity ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Cryptococcus Gattii ◽

Antifungal Drugs ◽

Planktonic Cells ◽

Species Activity ◽

Checkerboard Assay

Introduction. Cryptococcus species are pathogens commonly associated with cases of meningoencephalitis in individuals who are immunosuppressed due to AIDS. Aim. The aim was to evaluate the effects of the antiretroviral darunavir alone or associated with fluconazole, 5-flucytosine and amphotericin B against planktonic cells and biofilms of Cryptococcus species. Methodology. Susceptibility testing of darunavir and the common antifungals against 12 members of the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex was evaluated by broth microdilution. The interaction between darunavir and antifungals against planktonic cells was tested by a checkerboard assay. The effects of darunavir against biofilm metabolic activity and biomass were evaluated by the XTT reduction assay and crystal violet staining, respectively. Results. Darunavir combined with amphotericin B showed a synergistic interaction against planktonic cells. No antagonistic interaction was observed between darunavir and the antifungals used. All Cryptococcus species strains were strong biofilm producers. Darunavir alone reduced biofilm metabolic activity and biomass when added during and after biofilm formation (P<0.05). The combination of darunavir with antifungals caused a significant reduction in biofilm metabolic activity and biomass when compared to darunavir alone (P<0.05). Conclusion. Darunavir presents antifungal activity against planktonic cells of Cryptococcus species and synergism with amphotericin B. In addition, darunavir led to reduced biofilm formation and showed activity against mature biofilms of Cryptococcus species. Activity of the antifungals against mature biofilms was enhanced in the presence of darunavir.

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Emerging Cryptococcus gattii species complex infections in Guangxi, southern China

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008493 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. e0008493

Author(s):

Chunyang Huang ◽

Clement K. M. Tsui ◽

Min Chen ◽

Kaisu Pan ◽

Xiuying Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Complex ◽

Southern China ◽

Cryptococcus Gattii

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Molecular typing, in vitro susceptibility and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex clinical isolates from south‐eastern Brazil

Mycoses ◽

10.1111/myc.13174 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (12) ◽

pp. 1341-1351

Author(s):

Patrícia Helena Grizante Barião ◽

Ludmilla Tonani ◽

Tiago Alexandre Cocio ◽

Roberto Martinez ◽

Érika Nascimento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽

Molecular Typing ◽

Species Complex ◽

Cryptococcus Gattii ◽

Clinical Isolates ◽

In Vitro Susceptibility ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Brazil

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Multicenter Study of Isavuconazole MIC Distributions and Epidemiological Cutoff Values for the Cryptococcus neoformans-Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex Using the CLSI M27-A3 Broth Microdilution Method

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.04055-14 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 666-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

A. Espinel-Ingroff ◽

A. Chowdhary ◽

G. M. Gonzalez ◽

J. Guinea ◽

F. Hagen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽

Multicenter Study ◽

Species Complex ◽

Cryptococcus Gattii ◽

Broth Microdilution ◽

Wild Type ◽

Content Type ◽

Microdilution Method ◽

Cutoff Values ◽

Broth Microdilution Method

ABSTRACTEpidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) of isavuconazole are not available forCryptococcusspp. The isavuconazole ECVs based on wild-type (WT) MIC distributions for 438Cryptococcus neoformansnongenotyped isolates, 870 isolates of genotype VNI, and 406Cryptococcus gattiiisolates from six laboratories and different geographical areas were 0.06, 0.12, and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively. These ECVs may aid in detecting non-WT isolates with reduced susceptibilities to isavuconazole.

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