Prevalence of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus gattii serotype C among patients with AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Cryptococcus gattii is a group of exogenous, neurotropic yeasts that possess the capsular serotype B or C. Isolates of serotype C are extremely rare and, until recently, were known to infect only immunocompetent individuals. We genotyped 176 isolates of Cryptococcus from patients in sub-Saharan Africa who had AIDS; 22 (13.7%) of 161 isolates from Botswana and 2 (13.3%) of 15 isolates from Malawi were C. gattii serotype C strains. All of these serotype C strains belong to the rare VGIV genotype, possess the MAT alpha mating-type allele, and exhibit little genetic diversity.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Litvintseva, AP; Thakur, R; Reller, LB; Mitchell, TG

Published Date

  • September 1, 2005

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 192 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 888 - 892

PubMed ID

  • 16088839

Pubmed Central ID

  • 16088839

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0022-1899

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1086/432486

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States