Evidence that Cryptococcus neoformans is melanized in pigeon excreta: Implications for pathogenesis

Authors
Nosanchuk, JD Rudolph, J Rosas, AL Casadevall, A
Citation
Jd. Nosanchuk et al., Evidence that Cryptococcus neoformans is melanized in pigeon excreta: Implications for pathogenesis, INFEC IMMUN, 67(10), 1999, pp. 5477-5479
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Immunology
Journal title
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
ISSN journal
00199567 → ACNP
Volume
67
Issue
10
Year of publication
1999
Pages
5477 - 5479
Database
ISI
SICI code
0019-9567(199910)67:10<5477:ETCNIM>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Structures similar to the melanin "ghosts" of melanized cryptococcal cells were isolated from pigeon excreta contaminated with Cryptococcus neoformans , and their growth in pigeon excreta supported melanization. The results su ggest that environmental C. neoformans cells are melanized and imply that i nitial infection may involve exposure to melanized cells.