New multilocus sequence typing primers to enable genotyping of AD hybrids within the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex

Although AD hybrids within the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex represent about 20% of the isolates identified in Europe, phylogenetic and population genetic studies are lacking due to the inability to use the standardized typing method. The aim of the present study was to design new molecular type specific primers in order to apply the standard ISHAM consensus multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme to AD hybrids. The new primers are able to specifically amplify VNI and VNIV alleles of the seven MLST loci in both haploid and diploid or aneuploid hybrid strains. This study forms the basis for future molecular epidemiology studies of AD hybrids. Lay abstract: We designed and tested new specific primers to amplify the two alleles of each of the seven MLST loci in C. neoformans species complex hybrids. The sequences obtained from hybrids can be compared with those present in the Cryptococcus global MLST database for future molecular epidemiology studies.