Study of the role of pigeons in the dissemination ofCryptococcus neoformansin nature

Abstract

C. neoformans was recovered from droppings collected within the 1st 24 h from pigeons experimentally fed a dose of 5 .times. 106 cells. The fungus proved to multiply well though differently in the sterilized pigeon and chicken excreta seeded with the organism. In both unsterile types of droppings, no viable cells of C. neoformans were detected after 4 wk incubation. Isolated bacterial flora from intestinal contents of apparently healthy pigeons showed a complete inhibitory effect on growth of C. neoforms in vitro. Pigeons apparently do not favor multiplication of the fungus in their gut; consequently, they do not seem to play an active biological role in dissemination of C. neoformans in nature.