Development of Modified Selective Media to Differentiate Cryptococcus Species Complex and its Serotypes using Natural Materials

Abstract

The formation of brown colonies due to phenol oxidase activity on classic agar media containing natural material extracts of Helianthus annuus or on medium containing L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine has been used to identify Cryptococcus species complex. In this study, various natural materials were used to develop a modified medium and to identify five major serotypes of Cryptococcus species complex. Serotypes A, D, and A/D were pigmented on medium using Perilla frutescens var. japonica Hara (PerJ agar) after a three-day incubation. Serotypes B and C were pigmented on PerJ agar after four-and five-day incubations, respectively. Growth time and pigmentation of the five serotypes occurred more rapidly on PerJ agar than on the other media. In addition, colony morphology, size, and pigmentation were specific by serotype. In conclusion, PerJ agar should be used in clinic settings to identify Cryptococcus species complex and its serotypes rapidly.