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Occurrence of yeasts in cloacae of migratory birds

C Cafarchia1, A Camarda, D Romito

  • 1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Health and Welfare, University of Bari, Str. prov.le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.

Mycopathologia
|March 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Migratory birds carry various yeasts, including potential human pathogens like Candida albicans. This study surveyed yeasts in bird cloacae, finding 15 species, with Rhodotorula rubra being most common.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Ornithology

Background:

  • Human pathogenic yeasts are an increasing concern, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Birds, both domestic and wild, are recognized as potential carriers of pathogenic fungi.
  • Understanding yeast carriage in wild bird populations is crucial for public health surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and diversity of yeasts in the cloacae of migratory birds.
  • To identify specific yeast species carried by these birds and assess their potential public health implications.
  • To establish the first comprehensive survey of yeasts in migratory bird cloacae.

Main Methods:

  • Cloacal samples were collected from 421 wild migratory birds across Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
  • Samples were cultured for yeast isolation, and positive colonies were identified to species level.
  • Bird age, sex, and post-mortem condition were recorded for correlation analysis.

Main Results:

  • Yeasts were isolated from 15.7% of the sampled birds.
  • A total of 131 isolates representing 15 different yeast species were identified.
  • Rhodotorula rubra (28.2%) was the most prevalent yeast, followed by Cryptococcus albidus (18.4%) and Candida albicans (9.2%).

Conclusions:

  • Migratory birds harbor a diverse range of yeast species, including known human pathogens.
  • The findings highlight the potential role of migratory birds in the environmental dissemination of yeasts.
  • This study provides foundational data on yeast carriage in migratory birds, relevant to One Health approaches.

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