Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from Pigeon Excreta

Abstract

Excreta from 61 pigeons and 35 small birds in pet shops or wild life in Iwate Prefecture, were examined for Cryptococcus neoformans. On sunflower seed agar (Pal's medium) inoculated with 17 specimens of pigeon excreta brown colonies were produced, and the isolates were identified as C. neoformans var. neoformans, based on 37°C growth, urease, KNO₃ utilization and phenoloxidase activity.