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Lozano J, Almeida C, Vicente E, Sebastião D, Palomero AM, Cazapal-Monteiro C, Arias MS, Oliveira M, Carvalho LMD, Paz-Silva A. Assessing the efficacy of the ovicidal fungus Mucor circinelloides in reducing coccidia parasitism in peacocks. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11352. [PMID: 38762506 PMCID: PMC11102495 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61816-7] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The biological control of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites using predatory fungi has been recently proposed as an accurate and sustainable approach in birds. The current study aimed to assess for the first time the efficacy of using the native ovicidal fungus Mucor circinelloides (FMV-FR1) in reducing coccidia parasitism in peacocks. For this purpose, an in vivo trial was designed in the resident peacock collection (n = 58 birds) of the São Jorge Castle, at Lisbon, Portugal. These animals presented an initial severe infection by coccidia of the genus Eimeria (20106 ± 8034 oocysts per gram of feces, OPG), and thus received commercial feed enriched with a M. circinelloides suspension (1.01 × 108 spores/kg feed), thrice-weekly. Fresh feces were collected every 15 days to calculate the coccidia shedding, using the Mini-FLOTAC technique. The same bird flock served simultaneously as control (t0 days) and test groups (t15-t90 days). The average Eimeria sp. shedding in peacocks decreased up to 92% following fungal administrations, with significant reduction efficacies of 78% (p = 0.004) and 92% (p = 0.012) after 45 and 60 days, respectively. Results from this study suggest that the administration of M. circinelloides spores to birds is an accurate solution to reduce their coccidia parasitism.
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Grants
- CIISA/FMV Project UIDB/00276/2020 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- CIISA/FMV Project UIDB/00276/2020 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- CIISA/FMV Project UIDB/00276/2020 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- Project PID2020-120208RB-I00 MCINN, Spain; FEDER
- Project PID2020-120208RB-I00 MCINN, Spain; FEDER
- Project PID2020-120208RB-I00 MCINN, Spain; FEDER
- Project PID2020-120208RB-I00 MCINN, Spain; FEDER
- Project ED431B 2021/07 Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia
- Project ED431B 2021/07 Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia
- Project ED431B 2021/07 Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia
- Project ED431B 2021/07 Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lozano
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Almeida
- Exoclinic - Clínica Veterinária de Aves e Exóticos, Quinta de Santo António, 1495-049, Miraflores, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Vicente
- EGEAC - Empresa de Gestão de Equipamentos e Animação Cultural, Castelo de São Jorge, Rua de Santa Cruz, 1100-129, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Sebastião
- EGEAC - Empresa de Gestão de Equipamentos e Animação Cultural, Castelo de São Jorge, Rua de Santa Cruz, 1100-129, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Antonio Miguel Palomero
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Cristiana Cazapal-Monteiro
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - María Sol Arias
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
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Lozano J, Cunha E, Almeida C, Nunes M, Dias R, Vicente E, Sebastião D, Henriques S, Madeira de Carvalho L, Paz-Silva A, Oliveira M. Analyzing the safety of the parasiticide fungus Mucor circinelloides: first insights on its virulence profile and interactions with the avian gut microbial community. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0407823. [PMID: 38534121 PMCID: PMC11064519 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04078-23] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasiticide fungi are considered an accurate, sustainable, and safe solution for the biocontrol of animal gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. This research provides an initial characterization of the virulence of the native parasiticide fungus Mucor circinelloides (FMV-FR1) and an assessment of its impact on birds' gut microbes. The genome of this fungus was sequenced to identify the genes coding for virulence factors. Also, this fungus was checked for the phenotypic expression of proteinase, lecithinase, DNase, gelatinase, hemolysin, and biofilm production. Finally, an in vivo trial was developed based on feeding M. circinelloides spores to laying hens and peacocks three times a week. Bird feces were collected for 3 months, with total genomic DNA being extracted and subjected to long-read 16S and 25S-28S sequencing. Genes coding for an iron permease (FTR1), iron receptors (FOB1 and FOB2), ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) (ARF2 and ARF6), and a GTPase (CDC42) were identified in this M. circinelloides genome. Also, this fungus was positive only for lecithinase activity. The field trial revealed a fecal microbiome dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in laying hens, and Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in peacocks, whereas the fecal mycobiome of both bird species was mainly composed of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes fungi. Bacterial and fungal alpha-diversities did not differ between sampling time points after M. circinelloides administrations (P = 0.62 and P = 0.15, respectively). Although findings from this research suggest the lack of virulence of this M. circinelloides parasiticide isolate, more complementary in vitro and in vivo research is needed to conclude about the safety of its administration to birds, aiming at controlling their GI parasites.IMPORTANCEA previous study revealed that the native Mucor circinelloides isolate (FMV-FR1) can develop parasiticide activity toward coccidia oocysts, one of the most pathogenic GI parasites in birds. However, ensuring its safety for birds is of utmost importance, namely by studying its virulence profile and potential effect on commensal gut microbes. This initial study revealed that although this M. circinelloides isolate had genes coding for four types of virulence factors-iron permease, iron receptors, ADP-ribosylation factors, and GTPase-and only expressed phenotypically the enzyme lecithinase, the administration of its spores to laying hens and peacocks did not interfere with the abundances and diversities of their gut commensal bacteria and fungi. Although overall results suggest the lack of virulence of this M. circinelloides isolate, more complementary research is needed to conclude about the safety of its administration to birds in the scope of parasite biocontrol programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lozano
- CIISA – Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA – Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Almeida
- Exoclinic – Clínica Veterinária de Aves e Exóticos, Miraflores, Portugal
| | - Mónica Nunes
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Dias
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Vicente
- Castelo de São Jorge, EGEAC – Empresa de Gestão de Equipamentos e Animação Cultural, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Sebastião
- Castelo de São Jorge, EGEAC – Empresa de Gestão de Equipamentos e Animação Cultural, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- CIISA – Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA – Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Valderrábano Cano E, Penteriani V, Vega I, Delgado MDM, González-Bernardo E, Bombieri G, Zarzo-Arias A, Sánchez-Andrade Fernández R, Paz-Silva A. Influence of seasonality and biological activity on infection by helminths in Cantabrian bear. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100916. [PMID: 38379728 PMCID: PMC10877405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the variations of parasites in the feces of brown bears Ursus arctos inhabiting the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). A total of 248 bear fecal samples were collected throughout one year, spanning from August 2018 to September 2019, at an approximate frequency of 20 samples per month. The results were analyzed in relation to both the season and the biological activity of the brown bears, i.e., hibernation, mating and hyperphagia. Among the examined samples, eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum (32.2%; 95% Confidence Interval: 26.4-38.1), Baylisascaris sp. (44.8%; 38.5-50.9), ancylostomatids (probably belonging to Uncinaria spp.) (16.5%; 11.9-21.1) and Trichuris sp. (1.2%; 0-2.6) were observed. Significant seasonal differences were noted for Baylisascaris and ancylostomatids (χ2 = 21.02, P = 0.001 and χ2 = 34.41, P = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the presence of helminth eggs was correlated with the activity phase of the brown bears. Dicrocoelium attained the highest prevalence during the mating phase, while Baylisascaris and ancylostomatids were more frequent during hyperphagia. Notably, the highest egg-output counts for Dicrocoelium and Baylisascaris sp. were recorded during the mating phase and hibernation, respectively, whereas ancylostomatids eggs peaked during hyperphagia. Additionally, variations in egg-output counts were significant for all helminths concerning the season, with the exception of Trichuris sp., and for Dicrocoelium and Baylisascaris sp. According to bear activity. It is concluded that infection by gastrointestinal helminths depends on the season and the biological activity of the bears from the Cantabrian Mountains, and their health status could result influenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Valderrábano Cano
- COPAR Research Group (GI-2120-USC), Faculty of Veterinary, 27002, Lugo, Spain
- Marcelle Natureza Zoological Park, 27154, Outeiro de Rei, Lugo, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Penteriani
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iris Vega
- COPAR Research Group (GI-2120-USC), Faculty of Veterinary, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - María del Mar Delgado
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, CSIC-UO-PA), Mieres Campus, 33600, Mieres, Spain
| | - Enrique González-Bernardo
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Av Fuente Nueva S/n, E-18071, Granada, Spain
- University of Oviedo, C/ San Francisco, 3, E-33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Giulia Bombieri
- MUSE – Science Museum, Research & Collections Department, Conservation Biology Unit, Trento, Italy
| | - Alejandra Zarzo-Arias
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- University of Oviedo, C/ San Francisco, 3, E-33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | | | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- COPAR Research Group (GI-2120-USC), Faculty of Veterinary, 27002, Lugo, Spain
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Lozano J, Cunha E, de Carvalho LM, Paz-Silva A, Oliveira M. First insights on the susceptibility of native coccidicidal fungi Mucor circinelloides and Mucor lusitanicus to different avian antiparasitic drugs. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:63. [PMID: 38388939 PMCID: PMC10885612 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03909-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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combined application of predatory fungi and antiparasitic drugs is a sustainable approach for the integrated control of animal gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. However, literature addressing the possible interference of antiparasitic drugs on the performance of these fungi is still scarce. This research aimed to assess the in vitro susceptibility of six native coccidicidal fungi isolates of the species Mucor circinelloides and one Mucor lusitanicus isolate to several antiparasitic drugs commonly used to treat GI parasites' infections in birds, namely anthelminthics such as Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Levamisole and Ivermectin, and anticoccidials such as Lasalocid, Amprolium and Toltrazuril (drug concentrations of 0.0078-4 µg/mL), using 96-well microplates filled with RPMI 1640 medium, and also on Sabouraud Agar (SA). RESULTS This research revealed that the exposition of all Mucor isolates to the tested anthelminthic and anticoccidial drug concentrations did not inhibit their growth. Fungal growth was recorded in RPMI medium, after 48 h of drug exposure, as well as on SA medium after exposure to the maximum drug concentration. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary findings from this research suggest the potential compatibility of these Mucor isolates with antiparasitic drugs for the integrated control of avian intestinal parasites. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lozano
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal.
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, 27142, Spain
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, 1300-477, Portugal
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal
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Salmo R, Viña C, Zubiria I, Malagón JÁH, Sanchís JM, Cazapal C, Arias MS, Sánchez-Andrade R, Paz-Silva A. Formulating Parasiticidal Fungi in Dried Edible Gelatins to Reduce the Risk of Infection by Trichuris sp. among Continuous Grazing Bison. Pathogens 2024; 13:82. [PMID: 38251389 PMCID: PMC10818377 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Control of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes remains a big problem in ruminants under continuous grazing. For the purpose of decreasing the risk of infection by Trichuris sp. in captive bison (Bison bison) always maintained in the same plot, dried gelatins having ≥106 chlamydospores of both Mucor circinelloides and Duddingtonia flagrans were given to them for one week, and at the end, fecal samples (FF) collected each week for four weeks were analyzed immediately. Feces taken one week prior to gelatin administration served as controls (CF). Eggs of Trichuris sp. were sorted into non-viable and viable, then classified into viable undeveloped (VU), viable with cellular development (VCD), or viable infective (VI). Ovistatic and ovicidal effects were determined throughout the study. In FF, viability of Trichuris eggs decreased between 9% (first week) and 57% (fourth week), egg development was delayed during the first two weeks, and VI percentages were significantly lower than in CF (p = 0.001). It is concluded that the preparation of gelatins with chlamydospores of parasiticidal fungi and their subsequent dehydration offer an edible formulation that is ready to use, stress-free to supply, and easy to store, as well as being well-accepted by ruminants and highly efficient to reduce the risk of Trichuris sp. infection among animals under continuous grazing regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Salmo
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Cándido Viña
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Izaro Zubiria
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - José Ángel Hernández Malagón
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Jaime M. Sanchís
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary, University of “La República” (Regional Litoral Norte), Salto 50000, Uruguay;
| | - Cristiana Cazapal
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - María Sol Arias
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Rita Sánchez-Andrade
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
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Lozano J, Louro M, Almeida C, Victório AC, Melo P, Rodrigues JP, Oliveira M, Paz-Silva A, Madeira de Carvalho L. Isolation of saprophytic filamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and assessment of its predatory activity on coccidian oocysts. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8965. [PMID: 37268693 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36120-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal strains used in the biocontrol of animal gastrointestinal parasites have been mainly isolated from pasture soil, decaying organic matter, and feces from herbivores and carnivores. However, their isolation from birds and assessment of predatory activity against avian GI parasites has been scarce thus far. This research aimed to isolate filamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and evaluate their predatory activity against coccidia. A pool of 58 fecal samples from chickens, laying hens, and peacocks, previously collected between July 2020-April 2021, were used for isolation of filamentous fungi and assessment of their in vitro predatory activity against coccidian oocysts, using Water-Agar medium and coprocultures. The Willis-flotation technique was also performed to obtain concentrated suspensions of oocysts. A total of seven Mucor isolates was obtained, being the only fungal taxa identified, and all presented lytic activity against coccidia. Isolates FR3, QP2 and SJ1 had significant coccidiostatic efficacies (inhibition of sporulation) higher than 70%, while isolates FR1, QP2 and QP1 had coccidicidal efficacies (destruction of the oocysts) of 22%, 14% and 8%, respectively, after 14 days of incubation, being a gradual and time-dependent process. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the isolation of native predatory fungi from avian feces and demonstration of their lytic activity against coccidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lozano
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Louro
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Almeida
- Exoclinic - Clínica Veterinária de Aves e Exóticos, Quinta de Santo António, 1495-049, Miraflores, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Victório
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Melo
- Vetnatura - Serviços Veterinários, Lda., Calçada de Palma de Baixo, 1600-176, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Research Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27142, Lugo, Spain
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
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