Prevalence of Decreased Susceptibility of Cryptococcus spp. Isolates to Fluconazole in Urban Sources of Presidente Prudente

The genus Cryptococcus is composed of encapsulated yeasts that have the ability to infect and cause disease in humans, as Cryptococcus gattii/Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. Facing the current research panel, few studies about cryptococcosis and epidemiological data have been carried out in the western region of Sao Paulo state. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of Cryptococcus spp. In public areas of the city of Presidente Prudente, using pigeon droppings and tree hollows as an environmental source. The samples were identified by conventional mycological methods. Were collected 54 samples from pigeon droppings and 62 samples from tree hollows of the genus Licania. And of these samples, 47 (87.0%) and 14 (22.5%) had positive growth of yeast from pigeon droppings and tree hollows, respectively. Cryptococcus was identified in 11 (20.4%) of the samples from pigeon droppings and 3 (21.4%) of those from tree hollows. The following species were identified: Cryptococcus neoformans (7.15%), Cryptococcus laurentti (14.28%), and Cryptococcus albidus (78.57%). Decreased susceptibility to fluconazole was observed for some isolates. Fluconazole exhibited a limited in vitro activity, particularly against Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii. Identification and susceptibility testing of Cryptococcus spp. should be performed on a routine basis in view of their unpredictable susceptibility profiles.