SAMPLING AND ISOLATION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS FROM INDOOR AIR WITH THE AID OF THE REUTER CENTRIFUGAL SAMPLER (RCS) AND "GUIZOTIA-ABYSSINICA-CREATININE-AGAR - A CONTRIBUTION TO THE MYCOLOGICAL-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CR-NEOFORMANS IN THE FECAL MATTER OF CAGED BIRDS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 180  (5-6) , 567-575
Abstract
In Feb. and March 1984, C. neoformans was detected in the manure and ambient air of a volary in the Berlin Zoo, [West Germany], in which a palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) was kept. Both times, 5 colony-forming units of C. neoformans could be isolated on the differential medium, Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar, from 40 l of air aspirated by the Reuter Centrifugal Sampler. The absence of a concurrent growth of molds was found to be of special importance for the optimal isolation of C. neoformans on the above-mentioned agar for purposes of epidemiological research into airborne dessimination of the fungus. The advantages and disadvantages of 0.1% biphenyl to inhibit concurrent growth of molds are discussed. The control of habitats and foci of C. neoformans in zoos and similar establishments is considered necessary to prevent inhalatory exposure or susceptible, e.g., immunocompromised, persons.