fluconazole,

Cryptococcus neoformans is a capsular fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. This research involved isolating, screening, and growing C. neoformans from samples collected from pigeon droppings in Uselu, Egor, and New Benin markets, Benin City, Edo State. One gram of pigeon droppings was added to Yeast Peptone Dextrose Broth (YPD) for preliminary culturing and incubated at 25°C for 24 hours. The mixture was then plated onto Yeast Peptone Dextrose Agar (YPDA) plates, incubated for five days, and sub-cultured to obtain contamination-free single colonies. Identification of the organism involved a urease test followed by a Niger seed agar test. The Niger seed agar test detected melanin-producing strains through pigmentation, while the urease test confirmed its presence through a yellow-to-pink color change. Out of 75 samples, 63 tested positive for C. neoformans, signifying its environmental prevalence, 21 from this 63 tested positive for melanin production. Growth pattern analysis showed optimum growth at 37°C, aligning with its pathogenicity in humans, and normal growth at 25°C. Under starvation conditions, colony formation was visibly inhibited, indicating its dependence on environmental nutrients for establishment. Susceptibility tests with fluconazole showed inhibited growth, confirming its efficacy as an antifungal agent. This study provides information on the environmental distribution, melanin production, and adaptability of C. neoformans in variable growth environments. The results suggest the organism's ecological ubiquity, the role of melanin as a virulence factor, and its ability to thrive in environments with high nutrient availability and favorable temperatures. These findings are significant in understanding fungal survival and the management of cryptococcal infections.