Aspergillosis in a colony of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in a french zoological park: evaluation of environmental exposure

This study assesses the risk of exposure toAspergillus sp. and determines the environmental reservoirs in the direct environment of a colony of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in a zoological park in Paris, and the risk of contamination with resistant isolates. Every 15 days between February and May 2022, environmental samples (air and subtract from the nests, pond water, pigeon and penguin droppings) were carried out in the penguin enclosure as well as clinical samples (one-time non-invasive sampling on chicks), and screened forAspergillus sp. conidia. From 191 environmental samples, 264 strains ofAspergillus including 221 strains ofA. fumigatus were isolated, mostly from ambient air, in the nests, and pond water. No “at risk” areas in the penguin environment have been highlighted, nor an increased risk because of the proximity with urban wild birds. However, the load of airborneAspergillus in the nests increased significantly with outdoor temperature. Of the 221 strains isolated, we identified only one azole-resistant strain, displaying the TR34/L98H mutation in thecyp51A gene. This low prevalence of resistant strains may probably be partly explained by the urban location of the zoological park, surrounded by kilometers of urban areas without agricultural activities.
Source: Veterinary Research Communications - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research