Investigation in central Italy of the possible association between Cryptococcus neoformans var. Gattii and Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Campisi, Enza; Mancianti, Francesca; Pini, Gian Andrea; Faggi, Elisabetta; Gargani, G

doi:10.1023/a:1023652920595

Cited by 24 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Eucalypts are in fact only one of Ͼ50 different species of tree that can provide an ecological niche for C. gattii (106)(107)(108)(109)(110). Environmental isolates have been obtained from Africa (33,(110)(111)(112), Asia (76,77,108), Australia (26,110,(113)(114)(115)(116)(117)(118), Europe (110,119,120), North America (38,110,121), and South America (122). In addition, it has been shown that plant material promotes fertility (108,(123)(124)(125) and may render C. gattii strains more pathogenic (125).…”

Section: Environmental Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

2014

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SUMMARY Understanding of the taxonomy and phylogeny of Cryptococcus gattii has been advanced by modern molecular techniques. C. gattii probably diverged from Cryptococcus neoformans between 16 million and 160 million years ago, depending on the dating methods applied, and maintains diversity by recombining in nature. South America is the likely source of the virulent C. gattii VGII molecular types that have emerged in North America. C. gattii shares major virulence determinants with C. neoformans , although genomic and transcriptomic studies revealed that despite similar genomes, the VGIIa and VGIIb subtypes employ very different transcriptional circuits and manifest differences in virulence phenotypes. Preliminary evidence suggests that C. gattii VGII causes severe lung disease and death without dissemination, whereas C. neoformans disseminates readily to the central nervous system (CNS) and causes death from meningoencephalitis. Overall, currently available data indicate that the C. gattii VGI, VGII, and VGIII molecular types more commonly affect nonimmunocompromised hosts, in contrast to VGIV. New, rapid, cheap diagnostic tests and imaging modalities are assisting early diagnosis and enabling better outcomes of cerebral cryptococcosis. Complications of CNS infection include increased intracranial pressure, severe neurological sequelae, and development of immune reconstitution syndrome, although the mortality rate is low. C. gattii VGII isolates may exhibit higher fluconazole MICs than other genotypes. Optimal therapeutic regimens are yet to be determined; in most cases, initial therapy with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine is recommended.

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Section: Environmental Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

2014

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“…Veterinary isolates include strains recovered from cat, dog, magpie, and some isolates from striped grass mouse and degu living in a zoo [193–196]. Few C. neoformans strains were isolated from trees, namely, from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and oak tree [74, 197]. Most of the C. gattii natural isolates were from Eucalyptus camaldulensis , Douglas tree, carob tree, and stone pine [66, 74], whereas C. gattii animal infections were reported in a ferret and in some goats [65, 67].…”

Section: Combined Epidemiological Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Molecular Epidemiology ofCryptococcus neoformansandCryptococcus gattii: An Atlas of the Molecular Types

2013

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Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease affecting more than one million people per year worldwide. The main etiological agents of cryptococcosis are the two sibling species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii that present numerous differences in geographical distribution, ecological niches, epidemiology, pathobiology, clinical presentation and molecular characters. Genotyping of the two Cryptococcus species at subspecies level supplies relevant information to understand how this fungus has spread worldwide, the nature of its population structure, and how it evolved to be a deadly pathogen. At present, nine major molecular types have been recognized: VNI, VNII, VNB, VNIII, and VNIV among C. neoformans isolates, and VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV among C. gattii isolates. In this paper all the information available in the literature concerning the isolation of the two Cryptococcus species has been collected and analyzed on the basis of their geographical origin, source of isolation, level of identification, species, and molecular type. A detailed analysis of the geographical distribution of the major molecular types in each continent has been described and represented on thematic maps. This study represents a useful tool to start new epidemiological surveys on the basis of the present knowledge.

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“…It has been suggested that eucalyptus tree imports could be the route of introduction of C. gattii into the Pacific Northwest (20,21), particularly since one isolate (CBS7750) with a geno- (6,7,10,16,28,46,50,51). However, few of these studies have tested the hypotheses with genotypic data, and given the apparent global dispersal of C. gattii (31), it is difficult to demonstrate that C. gattii was absent from these areas prior to its isolation from imported trees.…”

Section: Vol 73 2007 Environmental Cryptococcus Gattii In British Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Environmental Sources of the Human and Animal Pathogen Cryptococcus gattii in British Columbia, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States

Kidd

Chow

Mak

et al. 2007

Appl Environ Microbiol

211

216

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Cryptococcus gattii has recently emerged as a primary pathogen of humans and wild and domesticated animals in British Columbia, particularly on Vancouver Island. C. gattii infections are typically infections of the pulmonary and/or the central nervous system, and the incidence of infection in British Columbia is currently the highest reported globally. Prior to this emergence, the environmental distribution of and the extent of colonization by C. gattii in British Columbia were unknown. We characterized the environmental sources and potential determinants of colonization in British Columbia. C. gattii was isolated from tree surfaces, soil, air, freshwater, and seawater, and no seasonal prevalence was observed. The C. gattii concentrations in air samples were significantly higher during the warm, dry summer months, although potentially infectious propagules (<3.3 m in diameter) were present throughout the year. Positive samples were obtained from many different areas of British Columbia, and some locations were colonization "hot spots." C. gattii was generally isolated from acidic soil, and geographic differences in soil pH may influence the extent of colonization. C. gattii soil colonization also was associated with low moisture and low organic carbon contents. Most of the C. gattii isolates recovered belonged to the VGIIa genetic subtype; however, sympatric colonization by the VGIIb strain was observed at most locations. At one sampling site, VGIIa, VGIIb, VGI, and the Cryptococcus neoformans serotype AD hybrid all were coisolated. Our findings indicate extensive colonization by C. gattii within British Columbia and highlight an expansion of the ecological niche of this pathogen.

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Investigation in central Italy of the possible association between Cryptococcus neoformans var. Gattii and Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Cited by 24 publications

References 19 publications

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

Global Molecular Epidemiology ofCryptococcus neoformansandCryptococcus gattii: An Atlas of the Molecular Types

Characterization of Environmental Sources of the Human and Animal Pathogen Cryptococcus gattii in British Columbia, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States

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