Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 55, 2002

Laboratory and Epidemiology Communications
A (〕ueensland Koala Kept in a Japanese Zoological Park was Carrier ofan Imported Fungal Pathogen, Filobasidiella neoformans var. bacillispora(Cp7PtOCOCCuS neOformans var. gattii)
Koichi Makimural,2*, Mizuki Karasawa3, Humio Hosoi3, Toshiki Kobayashi3, Nanako Kamijo3,
Kazuhiro Kobayashi3, Hiroshi Hiramatsu3, Takako Akikawa3, Tomoko Yabe3,Ayumi Yamaguchi3, 0samu Ishida3, Arisa Murakamil, Ryuichi Fujisakil, Yayoi Nishiyamal,2,Katsuhisa Uchidal and Hideyo Yamaguchi1,2J Teib)o UniversityInstitute ofMedical Mycology and2Genome Research Center;乃i砂O UniversiO),

359 0tsuka, Hachioji, Too)0 19210395 and3Tama Zoological Park,

Hodokubo 7‑1‑1, Hino‑shi, Too;0 191‑0042
Communicated by Hiroshi Yoshikura(Accepted April 8, 2002)

Filobasidiella neoformans var. bacillispora (anamorph:
Cf7PtOCOCCuS neOformans var. gattii) (1 ) was isolated from aQueensland koala (Phascolactos cinereus adustus) kept in azoologlCal park in Japan. To ourknowledge, this is first isola‑tion of the variant yeast from an animal or human resident inJapan.

A four‑yearl01d male koala (bom in the Taropga Zoo,Australia) died of various neurological disorders, 1nCluding
exophthalmo.s and swelling of the back of the left eye (Fig･1) and appetlte loss. Yeasts were isolated as pure culturesfrom nose discharge and autopsy materials (brain, nasal

cavity, and lung), and diagnosed as Cryptococcus neoform?nson the basis of the characteristic thick capsules. ExaminatlOnby an assimilation test, serologlCal test, and molecularbiological test (2) revealed that the yeasts were F. neoformans
var. bacillispora.
Fig. 1. Frontal view ofdecorticated head. Exophthalmos ofleft eye

Cryptococcosis is one of the four life‑threatenlng, deepISeatedand swelling of the back of eye (a汀OWS) were obseⅣed.

fungal infections (pulmonary cryptococcosis,竺eningoen‑

cephalitis, etc.) in Japan, and the infection lS generallyacquired by inhalation. This species ofbasidiomycetous yeast

has two varieties: a Japanese domestic variety, F. neoformans

intestine (1 ). In the endemic area, this yeast has been isolatedvar. neoformans (serotypes A and D) (3) and oneknown only

from red gum trees (EucalJPtuS SPP.) (1), rotting trees (5),as an imported mycoses‑causing variety, F. neoformans var.

and animals including koala (1). In the present case, the fungus

bacillispora (serotypes B and C) (4). The endemic area ofF･

was not isolated from the cage, its surroundings, red gum

neoformans var. bacillispora infection is geographicallytrees provided as feed, Or the zookeepers who had been taking

restricted to troplCal countries including Australia, Brazil,

care of the koala. Five other koalas kept in the same cage wereSouthem Califbmia, Thailand, and others (1 ).

free of the symptoms of the infection. Therefore, the risk of

The clinical features of the cryptococcosis caused by thethe spread of the infection appeared low in the zoological park.

two varieties are similar, but infection due to F. neoformans

It should be noted also that deepISeated mycoses including

var. bacillispora tends to requlre lengthy antifungal treatment,

cryptococcosis are not usually transmitted from animal toand is associated with more neurologlCal sequelae than thathuman or human to human. The koala probably acquired thedue.to F･ neoformans var･ neoformens (1)･ Therefore, from a

infection in the Taronga Zoo in Australia, where it was bom.

clinlCal polnt Of view, differentiat10n diagnosis of the two

The details of the present case will be reported elsewhere.

agents is important.

F. neofonnans var. neofonnans is present in pigeon droppings,

This study was partly supported by Health Science Research
Grants for Research on Emerglng and Re‑emerglng Infec‑? major so.urce of infection, but F･ neoformans var･ bacillispora

tious Diseases from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

lS not, aS lt is thermosensitive and cannot suⅣive in plgeOnof Japan.
*Co汀eSpOnding author: Tel: +8ト426‑78‑3256, Fax: +8 1‑426‑78‑3256, E‑mail: makimura@main.teikyo‑u.ac.jp

31

Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 55, 2002

length polymorphism. J. Jpn. Assoc. Infect. Dis., 68,

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