Epidemiology of cryptococcosis in Malaysia

This study describes the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii from patients with chronic meningitis who were admitted to 16 Malaysian hospitals, from 2003 to 2004. Of the 96 cryptococcal cases reported over the 2-year period, 74 (77.1) patients were male and 45 (46.9) patients were between 30 and 39 years old. Cryptococcosis was uncommon in children. A total of 57 (59.4) and 23 (24.0) patients were Malay and Chinese respectively. Human immunodeficiency virus infection was the major underlying disease reported in 36 (37.5) patients. C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A and molecular type VNI) was the predominant Cryptococcus species isolated from 88.5 of cryptococcal cases in this country. Cryptococcal cases due to C. neoformans var. grubii were reported from all the five regions in Malaysia, with the most number of cases reported from the central and northern regions. Cryptococcus gattii (all were serotype B and molecular types VGI/II) was isolated from all regions except the southern region. Compared with a study conducted prior to the AIDS era, our findings show substantial changes in the demographical characteristics of patients

The isolation, characterization and antifungal susceptibilities of Cryptococcus neoformans from bird excreta in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in bird excreta in Klang valley, Malaysia was determined in this study. Of 544 samples of bird excreta collected from a local zoo, pet shops and public areas, 20 strains of C. neoformans were isolated. All C. neoformans strains were serotype A and thus identi�ed as C. neoformans variety grubii. All did not produce color changes on canavanine�glycine�bromothymol blue agar. All were of a-mating types, as determined by a pheromone-speci�c PCR assay. The antifungal susceptibility testing using agar di�usion method Neo-sensitabs showed that all were susceptible to amphotericin B, �uconazole and itraconazole

Draft Genome Sequence of Daldinia eschscholzii isolated from blood culture

Daldinia eschscholzii is an invasive endophyte that is most commonly found in plant tissues rich in secondary metabolites. We report the draft genome sequence of D. eschscholzii isolated from blood culture. The draft genome is 35,494,957 bp in length, with 42,898,665 reads, 61,449 contigs, and a G+C content of 46.8. The genome was found to contain a high abundance of genes associated with plant cell wall degradation enzymes, mycotoxin production, and antifungal drug resistance

Sequencing of Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a Dematiaceous Fungus isolated from blood culture

Cladosporium sphaerospermum is one of the most widely distributed allergens causing serious problems in patients with respiratory tract disease. We report the 26,644,473-bp draft genome sequence and gene annotation of C. sphaerospermum UM843. Analysis of the genome sequence led to the finding of genes associated with C. sphaerospermum's melanin biosynthesis, allergens, and antifungal drug resistance

Genome sequence of an unclassified pleosporales species isolated from human nasopharyngeal aspirate

Pleosporales is the largest order in the fungal class Dothideomycetes. We report the 36,814,818-bp draft genome sequence and gene annotation of UM1110, a Pleosporales isolate associated with unclassified genera that is potentially a new fungal species. Analysis of the genome sequence led to the finding of genes associated with fungal adhesive proteins, secreted proteases, allergens, and pseudohyphal development