Pigeon dropping has been known to be the a reservoir for Cryptococcus neoformans. In this research, attempt has been made to screen and select for this life threatening organism using temperature (thermotolerance) and urease test sequentially. 14 Fourteen (14) samples from pigeon droppings were collected from three markets in Benin City. Isolates obtained from these samples were subjected to urease and temperature test. The results showed that the ten (10) isolates that were tested positive for the temperature test were equally positive for the urease test. From all the isolates that tested positive for both tests, NB3 isolate the isolate named NB3, reflected the highest growth rate at 37°C oC thus taken as highly pathogenic putatively. Thus, the possibility of using the procedure (highlighted in this work) (that is, incubation at minimum temperature 37°C) to screen isolates from various samples is discussed.
Key words: Cryptococcus neoformans, pathogenic, urease, thermotolerance, isolates
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