Molecular characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans recovered from pigeon droppings in Rivera and Neiva, Colombia

Objective. Characterize phenotypically and genotypically isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii that can be found in feces of pigeons (Columba livia) and in soil, leaves and detritus of almond trees (Terminalia catappa) in the municipalities of Neiva and Rivera, Colombia. Materials and methods. One hundred and eighteen samples were collected in 13 specific areas, characterized by the presence of almond trees and high density of birds, between January and June 2016. Incubation of the processed samples was done at 27°C for two weeks using Guizottia abyssinica agar. The phenotypic characterization, the species determination and the subsequent molecular typing was done using PCR fingerprinting with (GTG)5 primer and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism with URA5 and SJ01 primers. Results. A 5.9% of the samples from pigeon feces were positive for C neoformans var. grubii (VNI molecular pattern). Samples collected from almond tree detritus were not positive for any of the species studied. Conclusions. The isolation of C. neoformans from pigeon droppings in the municipalities of Rivera and Neiva adds to the scarce knowledge about this pathogen in the department of Huila, revealing the importance of continuing with these type of studies, not only in the environment but in the exposed population.