Identification of Candida spp. From the Gastrointestinal Tract of Pet Parrots and Subsequent Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles.

Abstract

Psittaciformes kept as pets can serve as reservoirs of various microorganisms, many of which have zoonotic potential, including Candida spp. In this study, the antifungal susceptibility profiles of 16 Candida spp. isolated from the oral and cloacal cavities of 20 pet parrots were evaluated. Samples from the animals' oral and cloacal cavities were obtained with swabs and stored in sterile tubes. For mycological isolation, samples were seeded on Mycosel agar medium at 30°C (86°F) for up to 5 days. The 16 isolates were seeded onto chromogenic medium to verify the species. For the antifungal susceptibility profiles, the samples were diluted in saline solution and plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar plates with antifungal discs. The species identified were Candida glabrata (5/16, 31.2%), Candida albicans (4/16, 25%), Candida tropicalis (4/16, 25%), and Candida krusei (3/16, 18.8%). Twelve isolates were tested against 4 azole antifungals (miconazole, fluconazole, clotrimazole and ketoconazole). Approximately 58% (7/12) of Candida spp. isolates showed intermediate susceptibility or resistance to the drugs used, with fluconazole being the least effective antifungal. These findings provide important information about the microbiota of wild birds raised as pets in Brazil and warn of the emergence of Candida non-albicans spp. resistant to azole antifungals widely used in human and veterinary medicine.