Consensus multi-locus sequence typing scheme for Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii

Abstract

This communication describes the consensus multi-locus typing scheme established by the Cryptococcal Working Group I (Genotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii) of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) using seven unlinked genetic loci for global strain genotyping. These genetic loci include the housekeeping genes CAP59,GPD1, LAC1, PLB1, SOD1, URA5 and the IGS1 region. Allele and sequence type information are accessible at http://www.mlst.net/ .

Fig. 1

Number of genes necessary to differentiate all sequence types obtained in the two previously published cryptococcal MLST schemes based on Simpson’s index of diversity [38]. For the Fraser et al. [28] data set the mating type locus specific genes, SXIa or SXIα, have been excluded for this analysis since they can’t be amplified from all isolates.

Fig. 2

CAP59 genomic sequence of strain H99 (Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, VNI, http://www.broad.mit.edu) used as master sequence, indicating the location of the Cryptococcal Working Group (ISHAM) proposed consensus primers used in Fraser et al. [28] and the location of the primers used in Litvintseva et al. [23].