Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis of global distribution caused by species of the complexes Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii that can be found in soil, bird droppings, tree hollows and decaying wood. The Central-West Brazil region presents favorable environmental conditions (tropical of altitude climate and average temperature between 20°C and 25°C) for the development of these fungi. The Mato Grosso do Sul state is home to 65% of the Pantanal, an incredible biodiversity scenario with rich fauna and flora, where birds migrate that can influence the geographical distribution of Cryptococcus spp. in the region. The objective of this study was to document cases of cryptococcosis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil according to the cities and to determine the molecular types of Cryptococcus spp involved. Of 79 cities in the Mato Grosso do Sul state, 35 (44.3%) had at least one case of cryptococcosis. Of the 220 cases studied, 150 (68.2%) were from Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul (126; 84% C. neoformans VNI, 9; 6% C. neoformans VNII and 15; 10% C. deuterogattii). Eight cases of cryptococcosis were identified in the Pantanal region (Aquidauana, Anastácio, Corumbá, Ladário and Miranda), seven by C. neoformans VNI and one by C. deuterogattii. The found molecular types are similar to other Brazillian regions (Figures 1 and 2). The Figure 3 shows the Cryptococcosis cases grouped into each three years. Thee patients had a mean age of 40 years and consisted mostly of men (75.7%). Most of the Cryptococcus isolates were obtained from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and included 169 (97.1%) and five (2.9%) isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii complexes, respectively.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO DO SUL, CENTRAL-WEST BRAZIL REGION