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. 1979 Sep;17(3):225-32.
doi: 10.1080/00362177985380341.

Cryptococcus neoformans: gastronomic delight of a soil ameba

L A Bunting, J B Neilson, G S Bulmer

Cryptococcus neoformans: gastronomic delight of a soil ameba

L A Bunting et al. Sabouraudia. 1979 Sep.

Abstract

During 7 days of incubation in vitro the trophozoite stage of the free-living soil amoeba, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, phagocytized and killed 78-97% of the cells of three strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. With one strain, incubation time was increased to nine days and 99% of the yeast cells were killed. It was calculated that during 4-9 days of incubation a single trophozoite phagocytized and killed a daily average of 84 yeast cells. The lethal effect of A. polyphaga on C. neoformans may represent a biological control mechanism in nature. Some of the surviving cells of C. neoformans developed into colonies containing pseudohyphae; these pseudolhyphal forms may be a biological 'escape hatch'.

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