Isolation of Cryptococcus gattii (genotype VGI) from a specimen of Pinus. An approach to its natural habitat in México City.

BACKGROUND

In Mexico, Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato has been identified as the etiologic agent in approximately 10.8% of cryptococcosis cases; however, its isolation from natural sources, which would confirm its existence in the environment, has not been successful.

OBJECTIVE

To isolate C. gattii from environmental samples collected from trees within the movement area of a patient diagnosed with cryptococcosis caused by this species.

METHODS

Based on a database of clinical isolates characterized as C. gattii, a patient was contacted and his route of movement was obtained; through a geospatial analysis, nearby trees were located. Tree hollows were sampled and the Cryptococcus isolates obtained were biochemically and genetically typed.

RESULTS

Four Cryptococcus isolates were obtained from the trees Schinus molle, Erythrina coralloides and from a specimen of the genus Pinus: three of them were characterized as Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto and one as C. gattii sensu stricto.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a geographic information system led to delimit an environmental sampling area, resulting in the first documented report in Mexico of the isolation of C. gattii genotype VGI in nature.