Isolation ofCryptococcus neoformansvar.grubii(serotype A) andC. magnusfrom the nasal lining of free-ranging quokkas (Setonix brachyurus)

摘要

Cryptococcusspecies are environmental yeasts, with a worldwide distribution and remarkable environmental adaptation. Although many species do not cause disease,C. neoformansandC. gattiiare causative agents of cryptococcosis, a life threatening infection and a significant public health problem worldwide. Infection especially affects immunocompromised animals and humans. In wildlife, cryptococcosis appears to be more prevalent in captive populations. The objective of this study was to assess whether apparently healthy quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) harborCryptococcusspp. Using cultural and molecular methods, we studied yeasts isolated from nasal swabs collected from 130 free-ranging quokkas on Rottnest Island (RI, n = 97) and the mainland (n = 33) of Western Australia. UnspeciatedCryptococcusspp. (from four quokkas),C. neoformansvar.grubii(serotype A) (two quokkas) andC. magnus(one quokka) were isolated from the nasal lining of apparently healthy quokkas from RI.Cryptococcus neoformansvar.grubiiwas isolated from animals captured in a human-populated area on RI. There was no significant effect of the presence ofCryptococcuson the results of haematology, blood chemistry, peripheral blood cell morphology or clinical examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented isolation ofC. neoformansvar.grubii(serotype A) andC. magnusin a free-ranging macropod in Western Australia. The public health implications of this finding should be further explored.