Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) as a source of pathogenic human yeasts: a potential risk to human health

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Invasive fungal infections pose a significant public health risk, particularly for immunocompromised individuals.
• Wild birds are recognized reservoirs for various pathogens, influencing the eco-epidemiology of diseases like cryptococcosis and aspergillosis.
• The increasing trend of keeping birds of prey as pets introduces novel zoonotic transmission pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of bird excreta as a reservoir for human pathogenic yeasts.
• To identify specific yeast species present in the excreta of *Parabuteo unicinctus*.
• To assess the public health implications of these findings for disease prevention.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of fungal pathogenic yeasts from the excreta of *Parabuteo unicinctus*.
• Microbiological culture techniques were employed for yeast isolation.
• Species identification was confirmed using standard microbiological methods.

Main Results:

• The study identified three potentially pathogenic yeast species: *Candida parapsilosis*, *Debaryomyces hansenii*, and *Rhodotorula mucilaginosa*.
• These yeasts were found in the excreta of the studied bird species.
• The presence of these opportunistic pathogens highlights a potential risk.

Conclusions:

• The excreta of *Parabuteo unicinctus* can harbor human pathogenic yeasts.
• Identifying novel environmental niches for pathogens is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies.
• This research underscores the need for vigilance regarding zoonotic transmission from pet birds.