Evidence that Cryptococcus neoformans is melanized in pigeon excreta: implications for pathogenesis.
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 suggest that environmental C. neoformans cells are melanized and imply that initial infection may involve exposure to melanized cells.
Nosanchuk
J D
JD
Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
Rudolph
J
J
Rosas
A L
AL
Casadevall
A
A
D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*
D008543:Melanins