2020, Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part A
First report on the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from the dust of air conditioners in Bharuch, Gujarat, India
Author(s): Mahendra Pal
Abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans is an important basidiomycetous fungus that produces high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals throughout the world including India. The present investigation was conducted to isolate and identify Cryptococcus neoformans from the dust of 25 air conditioners and also to assess the efficacy of Pal sunflower seed agar as a differential medium. A total 25 samples of dust collected from the same number of air conditioners were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar and Pal sunflower seed medium. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated on Pal sunflower seed agar only from one sample of air conditioner dust that was admixed with pigeon excreta. The fungus produced light to dark brown colored colonies on Pal sunflower seed agar. However, the yeast could not be recovered onto Sabouraud dextrose medium from the dust samples of air conditioners. The microscopic morphology of brown pigmented colonies in PHOL stain and Narayan stain showed many circular, single or budding yeast cells with thin capsules. The high sensitivity and specificity of Pal sunflower seed agar makes it an excellent medium for the study of Cr. neoformans. Since Cr. neoforams is a highly infectious pathogenic fungus, the immunocompromised people are advised to use the face while cleaning the dust of the air conditioners in home. To the author’s knowledge, this seems to be first report of isolation of Cr. neoformans on Pal sunflower seed medium from air conditioner’s dust from India and probably the second record from the world.
Pages: 67-71 | Views: 294 | Downloads: 131
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How to cite this article:
Mahendra Pal. First report on the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from the dust of air conditioners in Bharuch, Gujarat, India. J Adv Microbiol Res 2020;1(2):67-71.
