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. 2007 Jan;13(1):51-7.
doi: 10.3201/eid1301.060823.

Cryptococcus gattii dispersal mechanisms, British Columbia, Canada

Sarah E Kidd  1 , Paxton J Bach, Adrian O Hingston, Sunny Mak, Yat Chow, Laura MacDougall, James W Kronstad, Karen H Bartlett
Affiliations

Cryptococcus gattii dispersal mechanisms, British Columbia, Canada

Sarah E Kidd et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Jan.

Abstract

Recent Cryptococcus gattii infections in humans and animals without travel history to Vancouver Island, as well as environmental isolations of the organism in other areas of the Pacific Northwest, led to an investigation of potential dispersal mechanisms. Longitudinal analysis of C. gattii presence in trees and soil showed patterns of permanent, intermittent, and transient colonization, reflecting C. gattii population dynamics once the pathogen is introduced to a new site. Systematic sampling showed C. gattii was associated with high-traffic locations. In addition, C. gattii was isolated from the wheel wells of vehicles on Vancouver Island and the mainland and on footwear, consistent with anthropogenic dispersal of the organism. Increased levels of airborne C. gattii were detected during forestry and municipal activities such as wood chipping, the byproducts of which are frequently used in park landscaping. C. gattii dispersal by these mechanisms may be a useful model for other emerging pathogens.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example of longitudinal swab sampling profiles from trees designated permanently, intermittently, or transiently colonized with Cryptococcus gattii. Samples were collected during a 3-year period.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of positive and negative environmental samples for a systematic sampling along a 35-km traffic corridor traversing National Topographic System of Canada grids 092F/06 and 092F/07, highlighting transience of Cryptococcus gattii isolations. A) Sites of initial samples, collected in October 2004. B) Positive sites that were resampled in June 2005.
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