First description of Candida haemulonii infecting a snake Boa constrictor: Molecular, pathological and antifungal sensitivity characteristics

• Published in: Microbial pathogenesis Vol. 180; p. 106164
• Main Authors: Fonseca, Maísa Santos, Deegan, Kathleen Ramos, Tomé, Luiz Marcelo, Mendonça, Marcos Antonio, Sokolonski, Ana Rita, Gondim, Leane Queiroz, Azevedo, Vasco, Meyer, Roberto, Tasic, Ljubica, Góes-Neto, Aristóteles, Portela, Ricardo Wagner
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Animals; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Antifungals; Boidae; Candida; Candidiasis; Candidiasis - microbiology; Emergent diseases; Fluconazole - pharmacology; Fluconazole - therapeutic use; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phylogeny; Silver - pharmacology; Wildlife; Antifungals; Emergent diseases; Candidiasis; Wildlife
• ISSN: 0882-4010; 1096-1208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106164

Candida haemulonii is an emergent infectious pathogen that affects human presenting comorbidities and/or immunodepression. Little is known about other possible hosts. For the first time, this fungus was found causing a cutaneous infection in a snake, Boa constrictor, characterized by scale opacity and several ulcerative lesions. This C. haemulonii was isolated, identified using molecular techniques and a phylogenetic study, and had its growth totally inhibited by all the drugs tested; however, no fungicide effect was seen for fluconazole and itraconazole. The B. constrictor clinical signals subsided after a treatment using a biogenic silver nanoparticle-based ointment. These findings, along with the B. constrictor presence near human habitats, warn for the necessity of wildlife health monitoring for emergent and opportunistic diseases in peri-urban environments.