DISTRIBUTION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS SPECIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES FROM OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.

Soil samples contaminated by animal droppings have been identified as significant reservoirs for Cryptococcus species. The presence of these fungi in soil not only indicates potential ecological disturbances but also poses a health risk to humans and animals, particularly those with compromised immune systems, due to their capability to cause severe fungal infection. This study is therefore aimed at investigating the distribution of cryptococcus species in environmental samples collected from different locations in Ogun state, Nigeria. Environmental samples consisting of soil samples and animal droppings were collected from four different locations in Ogun state, Nigeria and cultured using mustard seed agar which is a selective media to isolate Cryptococcus species. These isolates were then purified and characterized based on their morphological and biochemical properties. Additionally, the isolates were assessed for resistance to a range of antifungal agents using susceptibility testing methods to determine their resistance profiles. In total, 3 Cryptococcus species were isolated in this study only from the soil samples of which all of them were resistant to fluconazole, griseofulvin and ketoconazole. All the tested isolates which includes two strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and one strain of Cryptococcus gattii showed resistance to these antifungal agents, with no significant zones of inhibition recorded, indicating a complete resistance profile. Further analysis confirmed the consistent resistance of these isolates to the antifungal agents, underscoring the urgent need for new treatment strategies and ongoing surveillance to address the challenge of multidrug-resistant Crptococcus species. This study therefore has shown that there is complete resistance among Cryptococcus isolates acquired from soil samples and that the current antifungal treatments are ineffective against these resistant strains, highlighting an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies and ongoing surveillance to manage and control infections caused by these multidrug-resistant fungi. Enhanced monitoring and research are crucial for addressing the challenges posed by resistant Cryptococcus species and ensuring effective treatment options. Keywords: Cryptococcus species, Antifungal resistance, Environmental samples.