Distribution of the genus Cryptococcus in Southern California soils

Two hundred and twenty-six natural soil samples from 10 counties in Southern California were collected during the dry season and processed for members of the genus Cryptococcus. Eighteen positive samples were recovered from a total of 59 yeasts; a large number of these yeasts were found in the desert areas. The Cryptococcus isolates included 9 C. albidus, 7 C. diffluens, and 2 C. laurentii. An isolate of C. diffluens from Northern California was included in the study. Each species was associated with definite soil pH and temperature ranges, and these factors were found to be associated with distance from the west coast. C. albidus was recovered from the western areas of the survey, C. difflaens from the central and eastern area, and C. laurentii from the eastern desert only. The Northern California isolate was identified as C. diffluens and demonstrated temperature and soil pH associations similar to its Southern California counter-parts.