ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the DNA typing, observe relationship between DNA fingerprinting patterns and serotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans, and find a suitable genotyping standard for Cryptococcus neoformans. Methods Three primers, including CN 1(GTG) 5, CN 2(GACA) 4 and CN 3(GATA) 4, were used to distinguish variations among strains of C.neoformans. Results The distinguishable fingerprinting bands for serotype of C.neoformans were yielded by primer CN 2. Using this primer, of 24 clinical and environmental isolates of serotype A of C.neoformans and 8 standard strains investigated by PCR, 20 strains produced complete identical fingerprinting patterns, the other 4 strains had different fingerprinting patterns. 2 strains of serotype B and C yielded indistinguishable fingerprinting patterns. Conclusions ①The majority of strains of serotype A had similar and stable fingerprinting patterns. ②Some strains of serotype B and C had an indistinguishable fingerprinting patterns. ③The same serotype strains from different sources may produce different DNA fingerprinting patterns. ④The DNA fingerprinting is a rapid, simple and feasible method for identifying Cryptococcus neoformans.