Skip to main content

Production of the hexitol D-mannitol by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wong, B; Perfect, JR; Beggs, S; Wright, KA
Published in: Infect Immun
June 1990

We studied the ability of Cryptococcus neoformans to produce the hexitol D-mannitol in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis. Twelve of twelve human isolates of C. neoformans produced D-mannitol in yeast nitrogen base plus 1% glucose and released D-mannitol into the medium. In a pilot study, pooled cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from cortisone-treated rabbits given 3 x 10(7) C. neoformans H99 intracisternally contained more D-mannitol (identified by gas chromatography and enzymatically) than CSF from normal controls or cortisone-untreated rabbits with self-limited meningitis. In a second experiment, cortisone-treated rabbits given C. neoformans intracisternally had significantly higher CSF D-mannitol concentrations than controls given cortisone alone at 4, 6, and 8 days after infection. Moreover, log10 CSF D-mannitol correlated well with log10 CSF CFU (r = 0.81) and log10 CSF cryptococcal antigen titers (r = 0.78). Lastly, the initial volume of distribution and elimination half-life of D-mannitol given intracisternally to normal rabbits suggested that D-mannitol was distributed in total CSF and was removed by CSF bulk flow. Thus, C. neoformans produces D-mannitol in vitro and in vivo, and D-mannitol is a quantitative marker for experimental cryptococcal meningitis. D-Mannitol produced by C. neoformans may also contribute to brain edema and interfere with phagocyte killing by scavenging hydroxyl radicals.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Infect Immun

DOI

ISSN

0019-9567

Publication Date

June 1990

Volume

58

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1664 / 1670

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rabbits
  • Microbiology
  • Meningitis
  • Mannitol
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • Cryptococcus
  • Cryptococcosis
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Animals
  • 3207 Medical microbiology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Wong, B., Perfect, J. R., Beggs, S., & Wright, K. A. (1990). Production of the hexitol D-mannitol by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis. Infect Immun, 58(6), 1664–1670. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.58.6.1664-1670.1990
Wong, B., J. R. Perfect, S. Beggs, and K. A. Wright. “Production of the hexitol D-mannitol by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis.Infect Immun 58, no. 6 (June 1990): 1664–70. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.58.6.1664-1670.1990.
Wong B, Perfect JR, Beggs S, Wright KA. Production of the hexitol D-mannitol by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis. Infect Immun. 1990 Jun;58(6):1664–70.
Wong, B., et al. “Production of the hexitol D-mannitol by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis.Infect Immun, vol. 58, no. 6, June 1990, pp. 1664–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1128/iai.58.6.1664-1670.1990.
Wong B, Perfect JR, Beggs S, Wright KA. Production of the hexitol D-mannitol by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in rabbits with experimental meningitis. Infect Immun. 1990 Jun;58(6):1664–1670.

Published In

Infect Immun

DOI

ISSN

0019-9567

Publication Date

June 1990

Volume

58

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1664 / 1670

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rabbits
  • Microbiology
  • Meningitis
  • Mannitol
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • Cryptococcus
  • Cryptococcosis
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Animals
  • 3207 Medical microbiology