Ruiz A, Neilson J B, Bulmer G S
Mycopathologia. 1982 Feb 19;77(2):117-22. doi: 10.1007/BF00437394.
Using four different assat procedures we found a 50 to 86% decrease in viability of Cryptococcus neoformans over a one year period after two towers in the Oklahoma City area were modified to exclude pigeons and weather elements, especially rain. In homogeneous pigeon dropping samples a sharp decrease in viability occurred after 7 to 9 months of storage. The decrease occurred in pigeon dropping samples maintained at the natural sites and at ambient temperature in the laboratory in the laboratory but not in droppings stored at -4 degrees C. Air sampling studies done at the natural sites before and after tower modifications also showed a decrease in C. neoformans viability. The decrease in viability cannot be explained by seasonal temperature variations that occurred at natural sites. Our findings suggest that death of C. neoformans occurred because of lack of available intracellular water exacerbated by low humidity, exclusion of precipitation and moisture from fresh pigeon droppings. In light of our experiences, at one site in south central United States, the feasibility of controlling C. neoformans at heavily contaminated sites, other than by the use of noxious or potentially dangerous chemicals, is discussed.
通过四种不同的检测程序，我们发现，在俄克拉荷马城地区的两座塔楼进行改造以排除鸽子和天气因素（尤其是雨水）后的一年时间里，新型隐球菌的活力下降了50%至86%。在均匀的鸽粪样本中，储存7至9个月后活力急剧下降。在自然场所和实验室环境温度下保存的鸽粪样本中出现了活力下降，但保存在-4摄氏度的鸽粪样本中没有出现这种情况。在塔楼改造前后在自然场所进行的空气采样研究也表明新型隐球菌的活力有所下降。活力下降无法用自然场所出现的季节性温度变化来解释。我们的研究结果表明，新型隐球菌的死亡是由于低湿度加剧了细胞内可用水分的缺乏、降水的排除以及新鲜鸽粪中水分的缺失所致。根据我们在美国中南部一个地点的经验，讨论了在 heavily contaminated sites控制新型隐球菌的可行性，而不是通过使用有害或潜在危险的化学品来控制。 （注：原文中“heavily contaminated sites”表述有误，推测可能是“heavily contaminated sites”，直译为“严重污染的地点” ）
