Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from environmental (pigeon excreta) and clinical sources in New York City.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of environmental (pigeon excreta) and clinical Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans isolates in a limited geographic area distinguished 6 strains among 8 environmental isolates and 12 strains among 17 clinical isolates. Clusters of patients with three strains types accounted for 47% of clinical isolates. Despite this diversity, two strains were shared by environmental and clinical isolates.