Antifungal susceptibility of emerging opportunistic yeasts and yeast-like fungi from Rhea americana

• Published in: Canadian journal of microbiology Vol. 59; no. 8; p. 577
• Main Authors: de Aguiar Cordeiro, Rossana, Pereira de Alencar, Lucas, Nogueira Brilhante, Raimunda Sâmia, de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco, Débora, Cordeiro Teixeira, Carlos Eduardo, de Brito Macedo, Ramila, Teixeira Lima, Daniel, Paiva de Araújo Neto, Manoel, Jalles Monteiro, André, Dutra Alves, Nilza, Franco de Oliveira, Moacir, Costa Sidrim, José Júlio, Rocha Gadelha, Marcos Fábio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada 01-08-2013
• Subjects: Animals; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fungi - drug effects; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Rheiformes - microbiology; Yeasts - drug effects; Yeasts - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 1480-3275
• DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2013-0176

Opportunistic yeasts and yeast-like fungi have been recognized as important pathogens in high-risk patients. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of these microorganisms in the microbiota of captive rheas and to investigate the antifungal susceptibility of the isolated strains. Isolates representing Magnusiomyces capitatus (Geotrichum capitatum, n = 11), Trichosporon mucoides (n = 11), Trichosporon asteroides (n = 5), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n = 4), Trichosporon asahii (n = 3), Trichosporon cutaneum (n = 3), and Trichosporon ovoides (n = 3) were obtained from the oropharynx, cloaca, and feces of 58 animals. Most of the isolates were susceptible to antifungals in vitro; however, resistance against fluconazole (n = 1) and itraconazole (n = 2) was detected among T. mucoides. This study indicates that healthy rheas can be reservoirs of opportunistic pathogens. Primary resistance to azoles in T. mucoides obtained from these animals demonstrates the potential risk to humans.