Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from Periplaneta americana collected from public environments and its relevance to human and animal health

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to check the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans
in cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana) collected in public places. The research’s motivation was based on the fact that this species of cockroach are synanthropic and vehicle of several pathogenic agents for men and animals, a relevant fact for public health. A total of 150 samples were collected and the research for the presence of the agents in the insects was conducted in the Laboratory of Pathogenic and Environmental Yeasts, Department of Microbiology and Immunology Veterinary, UFRRJ, by processing of the exoskeleton and the internal content and sowing in cultivation medium containing dopamine. The confirmation of isolation was made by the macromorphology and micromorphology tests, performance of auxanographic method, and complementary proofs. Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans was not obtained from the exoskeleton. Five isolates (3.3%) were obtained from the internal content of the insects. The serogrouping in CGB medium showed that they were from the AD serum group. We consider that the cockroaches of the species Periplaneta americana are a potential vector for the studied yeast.