مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees in Muğla-Milas city center

Abstract :

Purpose:In many parts of the world, human pathogen yeast Cryptococcus neoformans and C.gattii are commonly isolated from environmental niches including Eucalyptus camaldulensis. While E.camaldulensis-originated C.neoformans was only found in Gökova-Akyaka region during ten surveillance years in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey, C.gatti has not been isolated. In this study, C.neoformans and C.gattii have been screened from E.camaldulensis trunk hollows in Muğla-Milas city providence. Materials and methods: Five different locations in Milas city center, totally 100 E.camaldulensis with trunk hollows have been sampled by swabbing method. All samples were cultured on Staib agar supplemented with biphenyl and chloramphenicol. At the end of the culture period, brown yeast-like colonies were tested by conventional methods. Canavanine glycine bromtimol agar reaction was used for C.neoformans from C.gatti identification. Results:3 (3.0%) out of 100 E.camaldulensis were positive for C.neoformans colonization. All positive samples were in elementary schoolyard. No C.gattii has been isolated. Conclusion:Outside of Gökova-Akyaka, Milas city center is second isolation area of C.neoformans from E.camaldulensis in Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey. These data showed that colonisation of C.neoformans in nature may be more than expected in our country. In addition, colonisation of human-pathogen C.neoformans in elementary schoolyard is important for public health. Further studies on colonisation of C.neoformans and their distribution around human activity should lead to a better prediction of cryptococcosis risky areas in Turkey.