Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans IN SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA, BOLIVIA 2019

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban area of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2019, where there are areas highly populated by pigeons (Columba livia). The research work aims to demonstrate the presence of Cryptococcus neoformas var. neoformans in pigeon feces. Excreta were collected from the soil of squares and avenues in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. A total of 90 stool samples, both dry and fresh, were collected and transported and processed in the laboratory, seeded in Sabouraud’s medium with chloramphenicol without actidione and incubated at 37 °C for 48 to 72 hours, samples with yeast isolation were seeded in the urea medium to confirm the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. Neoformans used sunflower seed agar medium. Of the 90 samples studied, 28 samples (31,1 %) identified Cryptococcus neoformans var. Neoformans, 56 samples (61 %) were negative and 6 samples (6,6 %) were contaminated. The isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans in the soil of the metropolitan area of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, shows the need to eliminate pigeon droppings as well as the nesting of these birds.