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Candida auris in Dog Ears
Anamika Yadav1,2, Yue Wang3, Kusum Jain1,2
1Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
Abstract:
Candida auris is an emerging global public health threat and is resistant to most antifungal agents. Though fungi are significant pathogens for animals, the role of C. auris in animal health remains unexplored. Here, we analysed the microbial cultures of skin and ear swabs of 87 dogs in Delhi and performed fungal meta-barcode sequencing of ear and skin samples of 7 dogs with confirmed otitis externa (OE). Overall, 4.5% of dogs (4/87) with chronic skin infections contained evidence of C. auris in their ear canal (n = 3) and on their skin surface (n = 1). Of the three OE dogs with C. auris infection/colonisation, a diversity of fungi was observed, and their meta-barcode ITS sequence reads for C. auris ranged from 0.06% to 0.67%. Whole-genome sequencing of six C. auris strains obtained in culture from two dogs showed relatedness with Clade I clinical strains. The report highlights the isolation of C. auris from an animal source; however, the routes of transmission of this yeast to dogs and the clinical significance of transmission between dogs and humans remain to be investigated.
Insights
The emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris was detected in dogs with chronic skin infections in Delhi. This finding highlights a potential animal reservoir for this global health threat, warranting further investigation into transmission routes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Veterinary Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Candida auris is a significant global health concern due to its antifungal resistance.
- While fungi are known animal pathogens, the role of C. auris in animal health is largely unknown.
- Emerging infectious diseases necessitate understanding potential reservoirs and transmission dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and prevalence of Candida auris in domestic dogs.
- To explore the potential role of dogs as a reservoir for C. auris.
- To analyze C. auris strains isolated from dogs for genetic relatedness to known clinical strains.
Main Methods:
- Microbial cultures and fungal meta-barcode sequencing were performed on skin and ear swabs from 87 dogs in Delhi.
- Fungal sequencing focused on dogs with confirmed otitis externa (OE).
- Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze C. auris strains isolated from canine samples.
Main Results:
- Candida auris was detected in 4.5% (4/87) of dogs with chronic skin infections.
- Infection/colonization was found in the ear canals of 3 dogs and on the skin surface of 1 dog.
- Whole-genome sequencing revealed that canine-derived C. auris strains were related to Clade I clinical strains.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first isolation of Candida auris from a canine source.
- Dogs may serve as a potential reservoir for C. auris, contributing to its public health threat.
- Further research is crucial to determine transmission routes between humans and dogs and the clinical significance of canine C. auris.
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