J Bacteriol Virol.  2010 Jun;40(2):91-98. 10.4167/jbv.2010.40.2.91.

Molecular Characterization of Clinical and Environmental Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans Isolated from Busan, Korea

• Hwang SM

• KMID: 1456272
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2010.40.2.91

Abstract

Cryptocococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. In this study, the genetic variability and epidemiological relationships of clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans from Busan, Korea, 2000~2005 were investigated. A total of 12 strains of C. neoformans, 7 clinical and 5 environmental isolates were analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using three different primers and PCR-fingerprinting with a minisatellite-specific core sequence of phage M13. All strains belonged to C. neoformans serotype A and mating type MATa. Two different RAPD profiles (I and II) and a single pattern by M13 PCR-fingerprinting were identified. The major RAPD profile was pattern I (8 of 12 strains) and pattern II was identified from 2 clinical and 2 environmental strains, which clearly distinguished among isolates. Clinical strains with pattern II were isolated from the patients with HIV positive. Taken together, molecular patterns provide a good characterization of strains of C. neoformans as a heterogeneous group and epidemiological relationships in clinical and environmental strains.

Keyword

Cryptocococcus neoformans; Random amplified polymorphic DNA; PCR-fingerprinting

MeSH Terms

Bacteriophage M13
Cryptococcus
Cryptococcus neoformans
DNA
HIV
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Korea
Yeasts
DNA

Figure

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  Figure 1. PCR products of C. neoformans isolates for determination of mating type α and a. Lane 1~5: clinical and environmental isolates, 6: negative control, M: molecular marker

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  Figure 2. RAPD profiles of C. neoformans isolates amplified with the primers. (A): Primer OPH-02, (B): Primer OPH-12, (C): Primer OPH-20. M: molecular marker.

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  Figure 3. PCR fingerprint profiles amplified with the M13 primer. M: molecular marker.

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