Identification of clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans by AP-PCR fingerprinting

Objective To detect Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from clinic and environment, observe the relationship between PCR fingerprinting patterns and serotypes, and find the typing standard about Cryptococcus neoformans by AP-PCR fingerprinting. Methods Three primers, including CN1 (GTG)(5), CN2(GACA)(4) and CN3(GATA)(4), were used to distinguish variations among strains of C. neoformans. Of the three primers, the distinguishable fingerprinting bands for serotype of C. neoformans and other Cryptococcus species were yielded by primer CN2. With this primer, 48 clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans were investigated by AP-PCR. Results Of 38 serotype A strains, 34 strains produced complete identical fingerprinting patterns. Other 4 strains had different fingerprinting patterns. Two strain of serotype B and C yield indistinguishable fingerprinting patterns. Three strains of serotype D and other Cryptococcus had different fingerprinting patterns. Conclusions The strains of serotype A had similar and stable fingerprinting patterns. Some strains of serotype B and C had indistinguishable fingerprinting patterns. Same serotype strains from different sources may produce different AP-PCR fingerprinting patterns. The AP-PCR fingerprinting is a rapid, simple and available method for identification of Cryptococcus neoformans.