Zoonotic transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans from a magpie to an immunocompetent patient

J Intern Med. 2005 Apr;257(4):385-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2005.01466.x.

Abstract

We report a case of cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent female patient with exposure to a pet magpie (Pica pica). Genetically indistinguishable isolates were cultured from the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient and excreta of the bird. Our data strongly suggest zoonotic transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii from a magpie to this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Birds / microbiology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification*
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / immunology
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / transmission*
  • Zoonoses