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Domestic Birds as Source of Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII): Potential Risk for Cryptococcosis
Nathan P Siqueira1, Olívia C Favalessa1, Fernanda H Maruyama2
1Medical Mycology/Research Laboratory, Medicine School, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Fernando Corrêa Avenue, 2387, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, 78060-900, Brazil.
Researchers found Cryptococcus yeasts, including pathogenic species like Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus deuterogattii, in the droppings of commercially traded parrots and passerines. These findings highlight potential environmental sources of fungal infections transmitted through inhalation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Veterinary Public Health
Background:
- Cryptococcosis is a serious infection caused by Cryptococcus yeasts, often leading to meningitis.
- These fungi are found in diverse ecological niches, including bird excreta.
- Commercially traded birds may serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Cryptococcus species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify Cryptococcus yeasts from the excreta of commercially traded parrots and passerines.
- To characterize the identified Cryptococcus species using molecular methods.
- To assess the genetic relatedness of environmental isolates to clinical strains.
Main Methods:
- Collection and processing of 237 excreta samples from traded birds.
- Isolation of yeast colonies based on phenol oxidase and urease activity.
- Genotyping using URA5-RFLP and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST).
Main Results:
- Nineteen Cryptococcus isolates were obtained, exhibiting pathogenic indicators (dark brown colonies, urease activity).
- Fourteen isolates were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans (AFLP1/VNI) and five as Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII).
- MLST revealed that C. deuterogattii isolates from bird excreta were genetically similar to recent clinical isolates.
Conclusions:
- Commercially traded parrots and passerines harbor pathogenic Cryptococcus yeasts, posing a potential public health risk.
- Bird excreta can be an environmental source for Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus deuterogattii.
- The genetic similarity between environmental and clinical C. deuterogattii strains underscores the importance of monitoring avian populations for cryptococcosis transmission.
