Environmental isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from an endemic region of HIV-associated cryptococcosis in Thailand

Yeast. 2004 Jul 30;21(10):809-12. doi: 10.1002/yea.1112.

Abstract

We successfully isolated Cryptococcus neoformans from chicken faeces in suburban areas of Thailand. C. neoformans was isolated from 36/150 houses (24.0%) in the dry season and 6/150 (4.0%) in the rainy season. All environmental isolates were of serotype A. The high isolation rate of 24% from chicken faeces has never been reported previously. Our environmental study could probably explain the high incidence of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV patients in Thailand.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens*
  • Cryptococcosis / epidemiology
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis / veterinary*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / growth & development
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification*
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Poultry Diseases / epidemiology
  • Poultry Diseases / microbiology*
  • Seasons