P466 Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans and other yeast from pigeon droppings in Khartoum state, Sudan

POSTER SESSION 3, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans and other yeast species in pigeon droppings in Khartoum state, Sudan. METHODS: Sample collection A total of 120 samples were collected from pigeon droppings from Khartoum state. Pigeon droppings were collected using sterile wooden spatulas and placed directly in clean plastic bags. Processing of sample Approximately 2 g of pigeon droppings were added to 10 ml of sterile saline. The samples were allowed to stand for 20 min with frequent vortex. Isolation and Identification of yeast isolates A loopful of supernatant fluid from prepared samples was taken and streaked onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar media supplemented with 0.05 mg/ml chloramphenicol incubated at 37°C for 1-2 days. All yeast isolates were identified by direct microscopic examination using the lacto-phenol-cotton-blue stain India ink stain and Gram's stain. Further confirmatory tests were conducted using Corn Meal Agar (CMA) with tween 80, germ tube production test using horse serum, and urease test. Confirmation of identification was done using API 20C AUX and API ID 32C AUX (bioMérieux®, Madrid, Spain). RESULTS: Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common species isolated from pigeon droppings as shown in Table 1. Different Candida species have been isolated Figure 1. CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that there is a potential role of pigeons as a reservoir for C. neoformans and other zoonotic yeasts in the environment that can affect humans and animals.