The discovery of creatinine assimilation in Cryptococcus neoformans, and subsequent work on the characterization of the two varieties of C. neoformans.

The discovery of creatinine assimilation in C. neoformans by Staib served as the foundation for our biochemical, genetical, ecological, epidemiological and taxonomic studies on the two varieties of C. neoformans for the past 15 years. The two varietal concept is now widely accepted and the arrival of AIDS epidemic has promoted the recognition of the differences between the two varieties, especially in their epidemiology and ecology. Since the agent of cryptococcosis in AIDS patients almost always belongs to the var. neoformans even in geographical areas prevalent for var. gattii, it is important to study the possible differences in the pathogenesis of the two varieties.