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The isolation, characterization and antifungal susceptibilities of Cryptococcus neoformans from bird excreta in Klang Valley, Malaysia

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Abstract

The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in bird excreta in Klang valley, Malaysia was determined in this study. Of 544 samples of bird excreta collected from a local zoo, pet shops and public areas, 20 strains of C. neoformans were isolated. All C. neoformans strains were serotype A and thus identified as C. neoformans variety grubii. All did not produce color changes on canavanine–glycine–bromothymol blue agar. All were of α-mating types, as determined by a pheromone-specific PCR assay. The antifungal susceptibility testing using agar diffusion method Neo-sensitabs showed that all were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    S. T. Tay, H. C. Chai, S. L. Na, H. Hamimal & T. S. Soo-Hoo

  2. Bacteriology Division, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    M. Y. Rohani

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Correspondence to S. T. Tay.

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Tay, S.T., Chai, H.C., Na, S.L. et al. The isolation, characterization and antifungal susceptibilities of Cryptococcus neoformans from bird excreta in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Mycopathologia 159, 509–513 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-005-3091-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-005-3091-6

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