Dual infections with pigmented and albino strains of Cryptococcus neoformans in patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus infection in India.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus of worldwide distribution. Melanin production is an important virulence factor of C. neoformans. We report the identification of distinct cryptococcal isolates with either pigmented or white colony phenotypes on L-dihydroxyphenylalanine agar plates in three patients who presented with meningitis to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in India. Two of the patients were also infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Biochemical studies, India ink analysis, immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to capsular antigen, and serotyping confirmed that the melanotic and albino strains were C. neoformans serotypes A and D, respectively. Genotyping with M13 and [GACA]4 primers revealed that all the C. neoformans isolates were

SUBMITTER: Mandal P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1234134 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature