Multi-locus sequence typing as a tool to investigate environmental sources of infection for cryptococcosis in captive birds

Laura J Schmertmann; Kate Bodley; Wieland Meyer; Richard Malik; Mark B Krockenberger

doi:10.1093/mmy/myy098

Multi-locus sequence typing as a tool to investigate environmental sources of infection for cryptococcosis in captive birds

Med Mycol. 2019 Jul 1;57(5):653-657. doi: 10.1093/mmy/myy098.

Authors

Laura J Schmertmann^{1

2

3}, Kate Bodley⁴, Wieland Meyer^{2

3

5}, Richard Malik⁶, Mark B Krockenberger^{1

5

7}

Affiliations

¹ Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Sydney - Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁷ Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, B14, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2006.

PMID: 30329084
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy098

Abstract

A systematic investigation into environmental sources of infection was conducted at an Australian zoological park after cryptococcosis, caused by Cryptococcus gattii VGI, was diagnosed in a red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) residing in a large aviary with a diverse range of other avian species. A single tree with an extensive hollow was identified as the likely source of infection based on heavy culture of C. gattii VGI, multi-locus sequence typing and phylogenetic analysis of environmental and disease-related isolates. This led to the careful removal of the tree to reduce the risk of future cases of cryptococcosis in this aviary.

Keywords: Cryptococcus gattii VGI; avian; cryptococcosis; molecular epidemiology; multi-locus sequence typing.