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Corrêa-Moreira D, da Costa GL, de Lima Neto RG, Pinto T, Salomão B, Fumian TM, Mannarino CF, Prado T, Miagostovich MP, de Souza Ramos L, Souza Dos Santos AL, Oliveira MME. Screening of Candida spp. in wastewater in Brazil during COVID-19 pandemic: workflow for monitoring fungal pathogens. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:43. [PMID: 38909197 PMCID: PMC11193224 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00868-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases are often linked to poverty, which is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions that have been severely worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, COVID-19 patients are treated with Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that promotes an immunosuppressive profile, making patients more susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections, such as those caused by Candida species. In this study, we analyzed the prevalence of Candida yeasts in wastewater samples collected to track viral genetic material during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified the yeasts using polyphasic taxonomy. Furthermore, we investigated the production of biofilm and hydrolytic enzymes, which are known virulence factors. Our findings revealed that all Candida species could form biofilms and exhibited moderate hydrolytic enzyme activity. We also proposed a workflow for monitoring wastewater using Colony PCR instead of conventional PCR, as this technique is fast, cost-effective, and reliable. This approach enhances the accurate taxonomic identification of yeasts in environmental samples, contributing to environmental monitoring as part of the One Health approach, which preconizes the monitoring of possible emergent pathogenic microorganisms, including fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielly Corrêa-Moreira
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil.
| | - Gisela Lara da Costa
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiana Pinto
- Medical Microbiology Department, Paulo de Goés Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Bruna Salomão
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Federal Hospital of Andaraí, Rio de Janeiro, 20541-173, Brazil
| | - Tulio Machado Fumian
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Camille Ferreira Mannarino
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Prado
- Laboratory of Respiratory, Exanthematic, Enteric viruses and Viral Emergencies, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Marize Pereira Miagostovich
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Lívia de Souza Ramos
- Laboratory for Advanced Studies of Emerging and Resistant Microorganisms, General Microbiology Department, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - André Luis Souza Dos Santos
- Laboratory for Advanced Studies of Emerging and Resistant Microorganisms, General Microbiology Department, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Manoel Marques Evangelista Oliveira
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil.
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2
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Wu N, Wu Y, Chu Y, Ren Z, Li H, Rong C, Yang M, Jiang N, Jiang Y, Chen J, Zhang J, Tian S. The first rare case of Candida palmioleophila infection reported in China and its genomic evolution in a human host environment. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1165721. [PMID: 37664129 PMCID: PMC10469324 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Candida palmioleophila is a rare human pathogenic fungus, which has been poorly characterized at the genome level. In this study, we reported the first fatal case of C. palmioleophila infection in China and investigate the microevolution of C. palmioleophila in the human host environment. Methods A series of C. palmioleophila stains were collected from the patient at different time points for routine microbial and drug sensitivity testing. The first C. palmioleophila isolate 07202534 was identified by de novo whole genome sequencing. The in vitro and in vivo genetic evolutionary characteristics of C. palmioleophila were discussed based on the analysis of bioinformatics data. Results The six C. palmioleophila isolates displayed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. The C. palmioleophila genome contained homologous genes such as CDR1 and MDR1, which were recognized to be related to azole resistance. In addition, amino acid variation was detected at F105L and other important sites of ERG11. In addition, the mean divergence time between C. palmioleophila and Scheffersomyces stipites CBS 6054 was 406.04 million years, indicating that C. palmioleophila originated earlier than its closest relative. In addition, the six strains of C. palmioleophila isolated form the patient had higher homology and fewer mutation sites, which indicated the stability in C. palmioleophila genome. We also found that C. palmioleophila had a wide natural niche and may evolve slowly. Discussion We believe that this study will contribute to improve our understanding of the genetic evolution, pathogenicity, and drug resistance of C. palmioleophila and will aid in the prevention and control of its spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yusheng Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yunzhuo Chu
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhihui Ren
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Shenyang Fourth People’s Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hailong Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chen Rong
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Min Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingping Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Sufei Tian
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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3
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Costa GLD, Negri M, Miranda RPRD, Corrêa-Moreira D, Pinto TCA, Ramos LDS, Ferreira DG, Salomão B, Fumian TM, Mannarino CF, Prado T, Miagostovich MP, Santos ALSD, Oliveira MME. Candida palmioleophila: A New Emerging Threat in Brazil? J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:770. [PMID: 37504758 PMCID: PMC10381623 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activity directly or indirectly causes climate change, promoting changes in the composition of the atmosphere. This change is beyond the variation of the natural climate. In this manner, climate change could create an environmental pressure which is enough to trigger new fungal diseases. In addition to climate alterations, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been associated with the emergence of fungal pathogens. Fungi showed that an inability to grow at high temperatures limits the capacity of fungi to infect mammals. However, fungi can develop thermotolerance, gradually adapting to rising temperatures due to climate change, and generating a greater number of disease-causing organisms. In the present study, we reported the detection and identification of Candida palmioleophila isolates recovered from raw sewage samples in Niteroi city, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, during a monitoring program for measuring SARS-CoV-2 presence and concentration. Using polyphasic taxonomy to identify the species and evaluating some virulence aspects of this species, such as biofilm formation and extracellular enzyme production, our data highlight this species as a possible emerging pathogen in Brazil, especially in the pandemic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Lara da Costa
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institution (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Melyssa Negri
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analysis Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Prado Rodrigues de Miranda
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institution (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Insect Biochemistry and Physiology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institution (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Danielly Corrêa-Moreira
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institution (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Castro Abreu Pinto
- Laboratory of Pathogenic Cocci and Microbiota, Paulo de Goés Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
| | - Livia de Souza Ramos
- Laboratory for Advanced Studies of Emerging and Resistant Microorganisms, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
| | - Deisiany Gomes Ferreira
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analysis Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Bruna Salomão
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Federal Hospital of Andaraí, Rio de Janeiro 20541-170, Brazil
| | - Tulio Machado Fumian
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Camille Ferreira Mannarino
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Prado
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Marise Pereira Miagostovich
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - André Luis Souza Dos Santos
- Laboratory for Advanced Studies of Emerging and Resistant Microorganisms, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
| | - Manoel Marques Evangelista Oliveira
- Laboratory of Taxonomy, Biochemistry and Bioprospecting of Fungi, Oswaldo Cruz Institution (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
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4
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Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Humboldt Penguins—Susceptibility Patterns and Molecular Epidemiology of Clinical and Environmental Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from a Belgian Zoo, 2017–2022. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030584. [PMID: 36978451 PMCID: PMC10044460 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the main causative agent of avian aspergillosis and results in significant health problems in birds, especially those living in captivity. The fungal contamination by A. fumigatus in the environment of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), located in a Belgian zoo, was assessed through the analysis of air, water, sand and nest samples during four non-consecutive days in 2021–2022. From these samples, potential azole-resistant A. fumigatus (ARAF) isolates were detected using a selective culture medium. A total of 28 veterinary isolates obtained after necropsy of Humboldt penguins and other avian species from the zoo were also included. All veterinary and suspected ARAF isolates from the environment were characterized for their azole-resistance profile by broth microdilution. Isolates displaying phenotypic resistance against at least one medical azole were systematically screened for mutations in the cyp51A gene. A total of 14 (13.6%) ARAF isolates were identified from the environment (n = 8) and from Humboldt penguins (n = 6). The TR34/L98H mutation was observed in all resistant environmental strains, and in two resistant veterinary strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of this mutation in A. fumigatus isolates from Humboldt penguins. During the period 2017–2022, pulmonary aspergillosis was confirmed in 51 necropsied penguins, which reflects a death rate due to aspergillosis of 68.0%, mostly affecting adults. Microsatellite polymorphism analysis revealed a high level of diversity among environmental and veterinary A. fumigatus isolates. However, a cluster was observed between one veterinary isolate and six environmental strains, all resistant to medical azoles. In conclusion, the environment of the Humboldt penguins is a potential contamination source of ARAF, making their management even more complex.
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Melo AM, Poester VR, Trápaga MR, Stevens DA, Canabarro PL, Adornes AC, da Silva AP, Estima SC, Frere E, Sabino R, Xavier MO. Aspergillosis in free-ranging Magellanic penguins. Med Mycol 2023; 61:7034336. [PMID: 36764673 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the mortality due to aspergillosis in free-ranging Magellanic penguins during their migration and the reproductive season. A total of 98 carcasses of penguins were collected along 370 km of coastline in Southern Brazil, between June 2017 and October 2019, and from reproductive colonies in Patagonian Argentina, in January 2019. All animals were necropsied, and only proven cases were computed. Aspergillosis was diagnosed in 2.5% of the penguins evaluated during their migration route. Our study, of the Southern coast of Brazil, is the first to demonstrate that aspergillosis is an important cause of mortality in free-ranging penguins. The implications of these findings in the One Health context are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryse Martins Melo
- Microbiology and Parasitology Post-Graduate Program, Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPEL), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil.,Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vanice Rodrigues Poester
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rodrigues Trápaga
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - David A Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA, USA.,Div. of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sérgio Curi Estima
- Center for Environmental Education and Monitoring (NEMA), Rio Grande - RS, Brazil
| | - Esteban Frere
- Centro De Investigaciones Puerto Deseado -Unidad Academica Caleta Olivia - (UNPA) Universidad Nacional De La Patagonia Austral, Puerto Deseado, Argentina
| | - Raquel Sabino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.,Institute of Environmental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
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6
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Seabirds Health and Conservation Medicine in Brazil. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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7
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Cateau E, Leclerc A, Cartier N, Valsechi I, Bailly É, Senechal RL, Becerra M, Gallou BL, Lavergne RA, Chesnay A, Robin JP, Cray C, Goddard N, Thorel M, Guillot J, Mulot B, Desoubeaux G. pAspergillosis in a colony of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) under managed care: a clinical and environmental investigation in a French zoological park. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6609783. [PMID: 35713494 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is pervasive in bird populations, especially those under human care. Its management can be critically impacted by exposure to high levels of conidia and by resistance to azole drugs. The fungal contamination in the environment of a Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) group, housed in a French zoological park next to numerous large crop fields, was assessed through three serial sessions of surface sampling in nests, in 2018-20: all isolates were counted and characterized by sequencing. When identified as A. fumigatus, they were systematically screened for resistance mutations in the cyp51A gene and tested for MICs determination. In the same time, the clinical incidence of aspergillosis was evaluated in the penguin population by the means of systematic necropsy and mycological investigations. A microsatellite-based analysis tracked the circulation of A. fumigatus strains. Environmental investigations highlighted substantial increase of the fungal load during the summer season (>12-fold vs. the other timepoints) and large overrepresentation of species belonging to the Aspergillus section Fumigati, ranging from 22.7 to 94.6% relative prevalence. Only one cryptic species was detected (A. nishimurae), and one isolate exhibited G138S resistance mutation with elevated MICs. The overall incidence of aspergillosis was measured at ∼3.4% case-years, and mostly in juveniles. The analysis of microsatellite polymorphism revealed a high level of genetic diversity among A. fumigatus clinical isolates. In contrast, one environmental strain appeared largely overrepresented during the summer sampling session. In all, the rural location of the zoo did not influence the emergence of resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Cateau
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France.,Parasitologie - Mycologie, Hôpital de la Milétrie, 86021 CHU Poitiers, France
| | - Antoine Leclerc
- ZooParc de Beauval & Beauval Nature, 41110 Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France
| | - Noémie Cartier
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France
| | - Isabel Valsechi
- Dynamyc - Université Paris-Est Créteil-Val de Marne (UPEC), Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), USC Anses, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Éric Bailly
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France
| | - Ronan Le Senechal
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France
| | - Margaux Becerra
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France
| | - Brice Le Gallou
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France
| | - Rose-Anne Lavergne
- Parasitologie - Mycologie, Hôtel Dieu, 44093 CHU Nantes, France.,Institute de Recherche en Santé 2, EA1155-IICiMed, 44200 Université de Nantes Atlantique, France
| | - Adélaïde Chesnay
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France.,Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires - Inserm U100, Faculté de médecine, 37032 Université de Tours, France
| | - Jean-Patrice Robin
- Institut pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, CNRS - UMR 7178, 67037 Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Carolyn Cray
- Miami University, Comparative pathology, Miller school of medicien, 33136 Miami - Florida, U.S.A
| | - Nicolas Goddard
- ZooParc de Beauval & Beauval Nature, 41110 Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France
| | - Milan Thorel
- ZooParc de Beauval & Beauval Nature, 41110 Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Dynamyc - Université Paris-Est Créteil-Val de Marne (UPEC), Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), USC Anses, 94000 Créteil, France.,Oniris, Ecole nationale vétérinaire de Nantes, 44307 Nantes, France
| | - Baptiste Mulot
- ZooParc de Beauval & Beauval Nature, 41110 Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France
| | - Guillaume Desoubeaux
- Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine tropicale, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 CHRU Tours, France.,Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires - Inserm U100, Faculté de médecine, 37032 Université de Tours, France
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8
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Lofgren LA, Lorch JM, Cramer RA, Blehert DS, Berlowski-Zier BM, Winzeler ME, Gutierrez-Perez C, Kordana NE, Stajich JE. Avian-associated Aspergillus fumigatus displays broad phylogenetic distribution, no evidence for host specificity, and multiple genotypes within epizootic events. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac075. [PMID: 35377435 PMCID: PMC9073692 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Birds are highly susceptible to aspergillosis, which can manifest as a primary infection in both domestic and wild birds. Aspergillosis in wild birds causes mortalities ranging in scale from single animals to large-scale epizootic events. However, pathogenicity factors associated with aspergillosis in wild birds have not been examined. Specifically, it is unknown whether wild bird-infecting strains are host-adapted (i.e. phylogenetically related). Similarly, it is unknown whether epizootics are driven by contact with clonal strains that possess unique pathogenic or virulence properties, or by distinct and equally pathogenic strains. Here, we use a diverse collection of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates taken from aspergillosis-associated avian carcasses, representing 24 bird species from a wide geographic range, and representing individual bird mortalities as well as epizootic events. These isolates were sequenced and analyzed along with 130 phylogenetically diverse human clinical isolates to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic placement of avian-associated A. fumigatus, the geographic and host distribution of avian isolates, evidence for clonal outbreaks among wild birds, and the frequency of azole resistance in avian isolates. We found that avian isolates were phylogenetically diverse, with no clear distinction from human clinical isolates, and no sign of host or geographic specificity. Avian isolates from the same epizootic events were diverse and phylogenetically distant, suggesting that avian aspergillosis is not contagious among wild birds and that outbreaks are likely driven by environmental spore loads or host comorbidities. Finally, all avian isolates were susceptible to Voriconazole and none contained the canonical azole resistance gene variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotus A Lofgren
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Lorch
- U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - David S Blehert
- U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | | | - Megan E Winzeler
- U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Cecilia Gutierrez-Perez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Nicole E Kordana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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