Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile
Abstract Background Approximately 70 species of Cryptococcus have been identified, some of which are human and animal pathogens, while others are environmental saprophytes. Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the most important pathogenic species, and pigeon droppings serve as the most important ecolo...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04292-x |
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| author | Sara Hamzehee Marzieh Halvaeizadeh Maral Gharaghani Hadis Jafarian Simin Taghipour Zahra Seifi Sahar Hivary Sadegh Noripour-Sisakht Ali Zarei-Mahmoudabadi |
| author_facet | Sara Hamzehee Marzieh Halvaeizadeh Maral Gharaghani Hadis Jafarian Simin Taghipour Zahra Seifi Sahar Hivary Sadegh Noripour-Sisakht Ali Zarei-Mahmoudabadi |
| author_sort | Sara Hamzehee |
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| description | Abstract Background Approximately 70 species of Cryptococcus have been identified, some of which are human and animal pathogens, while others are environmental saprophytes. Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the most important pathogenic species, and pigeon droppings serve as the most important ecological niche. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of C. neoformans in pigeon droppings from various Iranian provinces, as well as assess the pathogenic factors and antifungal susceptibility of the isolates. Methods 428 pigeon droppings samples were collected from 10 Iranian provinces and cultured on Niger seed agar. DNAs were extracted, and CNLAC1 (Outer and Inner) and STR1 primers were used for the detection of species and varieties of C. neoformans, respectively. Virulence factors were also identified using specific culture media under appropriate conditions. Antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted against 8 antifungals using CLSI guidelines. Results Out of the 428 examined samples, 37 (8.6%) were positive for C. neoformans. All isolates exhibited capsule production and dark brown pigmentation as key pathogenic factors. Urease and catalase activities were present in all isolates. Based on the established ECVs guidelines, all isolates displayed wild-type phenotypes against voriconazole and 5-flucytosine. While 100% isolates were non-wild type against amphotericin B. Conclusions The frequency of C. neoformans was 8.6% in Iranian cities, with a high (31.5%) frequency in Kermanshah and a low (3.1%) frequency in Fars province. All isolates showed sensitivity to voriconazole and 5-flucytosine. Additionally, pathogenic factors were present in all strains to varying degrees. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5cb940da04ae47d7afbf43f4fa43ba86 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2180 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-5cb940da04ae47d7afbf43f4fa43ba862025-08-24T11:10:48ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802025-08-012511910.1186/s12866-025-04292-xGeographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profileSara Hamzehee0Marzieh Halvaeizadeh1Maral Gharaghani2Hadis Jafarian3Simin Taghipour4Zahra Seifi5Sahar Hivary6Sadegh Noripour-Sisakht7Ali Zarei-Mahmoudabadi8Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesMedicinal Plants Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical SciencesProfessor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical SciencesLaboratory Sciences Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Golestan University of Medical SciencesShahid Jahangirzadeh ClinicMedicinal Plants Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Approximately 70 species of Cryptococcus have been identified, some of which are human and animal pathogens, while others are environmental saprophytes. Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the most important pathogenic species, and pigeon droppings serve as the most important ecological niche. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of C. neoformans in pigeon droppings from various Iranian provinces, as well as assess the pathogenic factors and antifungal susceptibility of the isolates. Methods 428 pigeon droppings samples were collected from 10 Iranian provinces and cultured on Niger seed agar. DNAs were extracted, and CNLAC1 (Outer and Inner) and STR1 primers were used for the detection of species and varieties of C. neoformans, respectively. Virulence factors were also identified using specific culture media under appropriate conditions. Antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted against 8 antifungals using CLSI guidelines. Results Out of the 428 examined samples, 37 (8.6%) were positive for C. neoformans. All isolates exhibited capsule production and dark brown pigmentation as key pathogenic factors. Urease and catalase activities were present in all isolates. Based on the established ECVs guidelines, all isolates displayed wild-type phenotypes against voriconazole and 5-flucytosine. While 100% isolates were non-wild type against amphotericin B. Conclusions The frequency of C. neoformans was 8.6% in Iranian cities, with a high (31.5%) frequency in Kermanshah and a low (3.1%) frequency in Fars province. All isolates showed sensitivity to voriconazole and 5-flucytosine. Additionally, pathogenic factors were present in all strains to varying degrees.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04292-xCryptococcus neoformansVirulence factorsAntifungal susceptibilityCapsuleMelaninIran |
| spellingShingle | Sara Hamzehee Marzieh Halvaeizadeh Maral Gharaghani Hadis Jafarian Simin Taghipour Zahra Seifi Sahar Hivary Sadegh Noripour-Sisakht Ali Zarei-Mahmoudabadi Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile BMC Microbiology Cryptococcus neoformans Virulence factors Antifungal susceptibility Capsule Melanin Iran |
| title | Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile |
| title_full | Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile |
| title_fullStr | Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile |
| title_short | Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile |
| title_sort | geographical distribution of cryptococcus neoformans in iran pathogenic factors and antifungal susceptibility profile |
| topic | Cryptococcus neoformans Virulence factors Antifungal susceptibility Capsule Melanin Iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04292-x |
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