Volume 13, Number 1—January 2007 Cryptococcus gattii Dispersal
Mechanisms, British Columbia, Canada Recent Cryptococcus gattii
infections in humans and animals without travel history to
Vancouver Island, as well as environmental isolations of the
organism in other areas of the Pacific Northwest, led to an
investigation of potential dispersal mechanisms. Longitudinal
analysis of C. gattii presence in trees and soil showed patterns
of permanent, intermittent, and transient colonization,
reflecting C. gattii population dynamics once the pathogen is
introduced to a new site. Systematic sampling showed C. gattii
was associated with high-traffic locations. In addition, C.
gattii was isolated from the wheel wells of vehicles on
Vancouver Island and the mainland and on footwear, consistent
with anthropogenic dispersal of the organism. Increased levels
of airborne C. gattii were detected during forestry and
municipal activities such as wood chipping, the byproducts of
which are frequently used in park landscaping. C.