Abstract Objectives: Cryptococcosis is a systemic infection caused by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, is the most common life‑threatening systemic fungal infection occurring in HIV‑infected patients. Pigeon droppings could especially be a potential carrier in the spread of pathogenic yeasts and mold fungi into the environment. The objective of this study was to isolation of C. neoformans and other opportunistic fungi from pigeon droppings. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty samples of pigeon droppings were suspended 1:10 in saline solution and then cultured. Yeast colonies were identified for macro- and micromorphological characteristics, and on the basis of physiological characteristics, such as melanin production on caffeic acid ferric citrate test agar (CAFC Medium), presence of capsule by Nigrosin stain, urease production on urea agar medium, the germ tube test, micro‑morphological analysis on corn meal‑Tween 80 agar, growth in CHROMagar candida and API 20 C AUX system. Filamentous fungi were identified by standard mycological techniques based upon gross cultural and microscopic morphology. Results & Conclusion: Fungal contamination was detected in all examined samples. Yeast and mold fungi were isolated from 114 samples (95%) and 103 samples (85/5%) out of 120 samples, respectively. The highest frequency of yeast and mold fungus isolated from collected samples were observed in C. neoformans 77.5% and Rhizopus spp. 38/3%, respectively. Several types of fungi are present in pigeon droppings that can spread in environment and transmit to children and elderly as well as immunocompromised patients who are at increased risk of contracting opportunistic diseases.

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