Aspergillosis, Avian Species and the One Health Perspective: The Possible Importance of Birds in Azole Resistance

Abstract

The One Health context considers health based on three pillars: humans, animals, and environment. This approach is a strong ally in the surveillance of infectious diseases and in the development of prevention strategies. Aspergillus spp. are fungi that fit substantially in this context, in view of their ubiquity, as well as their importance as plant pathogens, and potentially fatal pathogens for, particularly, humans and avian species. In addition, the emergence of azole resistance, mainly in Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto, and the proven role of fungicides widely used on crops, reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach to this problem. Avian species are involved in short and long distance travel between different types of landscapes, such as agricultural fields, natural environments and urban environments. Thus, birds can play an important role in the dispersion of Aspergillus, and of special concern, azole-resistant strains. In addition, some bird species are particularly susceptible to aspergillosis. Therefore, avian aspergillosis could be considered as an environmental health indicator. In this review, aspergillosis in humans and birds will be discussed, with focus on the presence of Aspergillus in the environment. We will relate these issues with the emergence of azole resistance on Aspergillus. These topics will be therefore considered and reviewed from the “One Health” perspective.

CATastrophe: Response to the challenges of zoonotic sporotrichosis in southern Brazil

“…To face its challenges a One Health approach is necessary. One Health is widely proposed as a strategy to promote health by understanding the relationships between human and animal diseases, and the diseases in the setting of the environment, and integrating approaches that will modify approaches to benefit all components 16–18 . The potential contribution of environmental epidemiologists is thus recognised.…”

The Consequences of Our Changing Environment on Life Threatening and Debilitating Fungal Diseases in Humans

“…As azole resistance is associated with fungicide usage, we may expect increased trends of resistant isolates within the clinic if the use of azoles is expanded [ 91 , 92 ]. Resistant isolates could subsequently be spread by the aforementioned factors that are likely to be affected by climate change, including air currents, human transmission, transport of agricultural commodities (including flower bulbs) and dispersal by migratory birds [ 93 ].…”

Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Triazole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus

“…Two main factors could have facilitated the spread of A. fumigatus genotypes and drug-resistant genes among geographic populations: the high dispersal ability of its asexual spores by wind and contemporary anthropogenic influences such as travel and trade [1]. Additionally, as aspergillosis is one of the leading causes of fungal deaths in avian species, bird migration may also be a factor in A. fumigatus dispersal [17,18]. The study by Ashu and colleagues further noted a large number of triazole-resistant genotypes and determined certain resistance genotypes were more commonly found in certain population genetic clusters than others [13].…”