URA5-RFLP is one of the most widely used genotyping methods relating to Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii consensus genotype nomenclature. In order to identify a molecular type, this method uses a visual comparison of digested PCR products of tested and reference strains, therefore any anomaly in RFLP patterns of studied isolates makes recognition difficult or impossible. This report describes a strain of VNIV type showing an atypical URA5-RFLP pattern as well as a group of AD hybrids displaying the same anomaly. The atypical RFLP pattern is the result of a point mutation and emergence of a new restriction site. Emergence of the allele presenting a new banding pattern may lead to misidentification using the URA5-RFLP technique; the results of this study as well as the literature data may suggest the spread of the allele in the environment.

Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birds and Exotic Animals The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences pl Grunwaldzki 45 50 366 Wrocław Poland

Department of Pathology The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences Norwida 31 50 375 Wrocław Poland

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