First isolation of <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> var. <i>gattii</i> from a native jungle tree in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii was isolated for the first time from decaying wood in a hollow of a native jungle tree Guettarda acreana, in a wild area of an Amazon rainforest island, in Brazil. The presence of this variety in a virgin environment without either anthropic action or introduced vegetation is discussed with regard to the common knowledge of Cr. neoformans ecology.