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Published on: March 17, 2014
Adiaspiromycoses in Wild Rodents from the Pyrenees, Northeastern Spain
Simon Krückemeier1, Marc Ramon1, Enric Vidal2,3
1Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group (WildCoM), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Travessera dels turons s/n, Bellaterra 08193, Spain.
Abstract:
Adiaspiromycosis is a nontransmissible infectious pulmonary disease caused by the inhalation of propagules from fungal species belonging to the family Ajellomicetaceae, especially Emergomyces crescens. Adiaspiromycosis caused by E. crescens has been recorded in a broad number of species worldwide, with small burrowing mammals being considered the main hosts for this environmental pathogen. Only a handful of studies on adiaspiromycosis in European wildlife has been published to date. We assessed the occurrence of adiaspiromycosis in wild rodents (Murinae and Arvicolinae) from the central Spanish Pyrenees (NE Spain). The lungs of 302 mice and 46 voles were screened for the presence of adiaspores through histopathologic examination. Pulmonary adiaspiromycosis was recorded in 21.6% of all individuals (75/348), corresponding to 63/299 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and 12/40 bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Adiaspore burden varied highly between animals, with a mean of 0.19 spores/mm2 and a percentage of affected lung tissue ranging from <0.01% to >8%. These results show that the infection is present in wild rodents from the central Spanish Pyrenees. Although the impact of this infection on nonendangered species is potentially mild, it might contribute to genetic diversity loss in endangered species.
Insights
Adiaspiromycosis, a fungal lung infection, was found in 21.6% of wild rodents in the Spanish Pyrenees. This study highlights the presence of Emergomyces crescens in European wildlife.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Veterinary Pathology
- Wildlife Epidemiology
Background:
- Adiaspiromycosis is a pulmonary disease caused by inhalation of fungal propagules, primarily from Emergomyces crescens.
- Small burrowing mammals are the main hosts for this environmental pathogen, with limited studies in European wildlife.
- The prevalence and impact of adiaspiromycosis in European wild rodents remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the occurrence of adiaspiromycosis in wild rodents from the central Spanish Pyrenees.
- To determine the prevalence of pulmonary adiaspiromycosis in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus).
- To provide baseline data on this fungal infection in Spanish wildlife.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of lungs from 302 mice and 46 voles.
- Screening for the presence of adiaspores (fungal spores).
- Quantification of adiaspore burden and affected lung tissue percentage.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary adiaspiromycosis was detected in 21.6% of the surveyed rodents (75/348).
- Infection prevalence was 21.1% in wood mice (63/299) and 30% in bank voles (12/40).
- Adiaspore burden varied significantly, with mean burden of 0.19 spores/mm2 and affected lung tissue up to >8%.
Conclusions:
- Adiaspiromycosis is prevalent in wild rodents in the central Spanish Pyrenees.
- While potentially mild in non-endangered species, the infection could impact genetic diversity in endangered populations.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term ecological implications of adiaspiromycosis in wildlife.
