Characterization, growth and control of cryptococcus neoformans sanf. causing cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis is an acute, subacute or chronic fungal disease caused by an encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. It is the second most common fungal infection after candidiasis in HIV infected individuals and it is consider as the potentially most serious infections. Commercial antibiotics especially chloramphenicol was more effective in controlling C. neoformans. A wide variety of plants can be screened which are potentially antimicrobial. Morphological and cultural characteristics of C. neoformans Sanf. were studied. Morphology of the organism was studied by direct observation under the microscope by using wet mount and negative staining techniques. The cultural characteristics of the organism were studied in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar and broth under the influence of different carbon sources. The influence of some commercial antibiotics and plant extracts were assessed for their antimycotic activities. The identity of the fungus was confirmed by nigrosin staining and biochemical tests. Effect of some physico-chemical factors such as temperature, pH, salinity, sugar (dextrose) and peptone on the growth of C. neoformans was studied and the optimum requirements for its growth have been determined. Antibiotic activities of some commercially available 11 antibiotics were assayed against C. neoformans and chloramphenical alone inhibited the growth of the test organism. The presences of antimicrobial properties in 129 plant extracts were also tested against C. neoformans. Among the plant extracts tested Coleus forskohlii and Pedalium murex (leaf) was more effective than other plant extracts tested.