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Invasive fungal infections, including cryptococcosis, are a growing threat to immunocompromised patients. Although  Cryptococcus neoformans  and  Cryptococcus gattii  are the main agents of human cryptococcosis, opportunistic infections by environmental species, such as  C. liquefaciens , have been observed recently. The main  Cryptococcus  virulence factor is the production and secretion of polysaccharides (PS). Previously, we showed that both species produce PS of similar composition. Here, we examined the ultrastructure and biological activity of capsular and secreted PS from  C. liquefaciens , and yeast pathogenicity to an invertebrate host, in comparison with  C. neoformans . Ultrastructural analysis by high-resolution microscopy showed that both species produce large and complex capsules. PS from both species had indistinguishable effects on phagocytosis levels, NO production and the secretion of a variety of immune mediators. Challenge with  C. liquefaciens  or  C. neoformans  led to complete lethality of  G. mellonella  larvae. Treatment with  C. liquefaciens  PS could not protect mice against infection with  C. neoformans . We conclude that polysaccharides of the environmental yeast  C. liquefaciens  have strikingly similar ultrastructural and biological properties to those of  C. neoformans , highlighting the importance of monitoring the emergence of new fungal pathogens for which thermotolerance may be an important transitional step towards pathogenesis in humans.

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The environmental yeast Cryptococcus liquefaciens produces capsular and secreted polysaccharides with similar pathogenic properties to those of C. neoformans