Abstract: Objective To investigate the DNA typing, observe relationship between DNA fingerprinting patterns and serotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans, and find a suitable genotyping standard for Cryptococcus neoformans. Methods Three primers, including CN₁(GTG)₅, CN₂(GACA)₄ and CN₃(GATA)₄, were used to distinguish variations among strains of C.neoformans. Results The distinguishable fingerprinting bands for serotype of C.neoformans were yielded by primer CN₂. Using this primer, of 24 clinical and environmental isolates of serotype A of C.neoformans and 8 standard strains investigated by PCR, 20 strains produced complete identical fingerprinting patterns, the other 4 strains had different fingerprinting patterns. 2 strains of serotype B and C yielded indistinguishable fingerprinting patterns. Conclusion ①The majority of strains of serotype A had similar and stable fingerprinting patterns. ②Some strains of serotype B and C had an indistinguishable fingerprinting patterns. ③The same serotype strains from different sources may produce different DNA fingerprinting patterns. ④The DNA fingerprinting is a rapid, simple and feasible method for identifying Cryptococcus neoformans.

Key words: Cryptococcus neoformans, PCR, Primer