DNA typing suggests pigeon droppings as a source of pathogenic Cryptococcus neoformans serotype D

J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Oct;35(10):2683-5. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.10.2683-2685.1997.

Abstract

The unusual proportion of serotype D strains of Cryptococcus neoformans infecting patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis in some parts of France prompted the analysis of DNA fingerprints obtained with 26 clinical and 29 environmental isolates from the same area. Our results suggest that pigeon droppings are a potential source of pathogenic strains of C. neoformans serotype D, as previously demonstrated for serotype A.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Columbidae / microbiology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / classification*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / genetics
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / complications
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / epidemiology*
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Serotyping

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial