Objectives: Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes cryptococcosis, a life-threatening infection that is usually manifested as menigeoencephalitis mainly in immunocompromised patients. The major environmental sources of C. neoformans have been shown to be pigeon droppings and soil contaminated with bird excreta. The objective of this study was to isolation of C. neoformans from pigeon droppings. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty samples of pigeon droppings were suspended 1:10 in saline solution and then cultured. Identification of C. neoformans was performed on caffeic acid ferric citrate test agar (CAFC Medium) for melanin production, presence of a capsule by Nigrosin stain, urease production on urea agar medium and API 20 C AUX system. Results & Conclusion: Of the 120 samples, 93 (77/5%) were positive for C. neoformans. Our results are considered to be the first report on the high prevalence of C. neoformans in pigeon feces in Mashhad, Iran. The data indicated that pigeon droppings can be considered as a potential public health hazard due to human exposure to airborne cells of C. neoformans in public areas. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the accumulations of these large flocks of pigeons for long periods of time in public areas, particularly near residential areas, public parks, food outlets and hospitals.

Keywords