Identification of Pathogenic and Opportunistic Yeasts in Pigeon Excreta by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and Their Prevalence in Chon Buri Province, Thailand

Abstract

Pigeon excreta can cause environmental and public health issues, particularly in urban and public areas. They are reservoirs of several human pathogens including fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Epidemiological data of pathogenic and opportunistic yeasts in pigeon droppings in Chon Buri, one of the most reputable tourist cities of Thailand, are scarce. The present study aimed to identify yeasts in pigeon droppings by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and to study their prevalence in Chon Buri, Thailand. A total of 200 pigeon fecal samples were collected randomly from all 11 districts of Chon Buri. A sum of 393 yeast-like colonies were isolated on Sabourand’s dextrose agar and CHROMagar media. These isolates were further confirmed for their species by MALDI-TOF MS. Twenty-four yeast species belonging to 11 different genera were identified in pigeon fecal samples. Candida spp., predominantly C. krusei (14.32%), were the most prevalent yeast species. Other yeast species, including C. glabrata (12.73%), C. metapsilosis (11.93%), Lodderomyces elongisporus (10.87%), C. tropicalis (7.16%), C. albicans (5.83%), and Cryptococcus neoformans (4.77%) were identified. This study provides valuable epidemiological data and diversity of yeasts in pigeon droppings in Chon Buri, Thailand, and also supports the use of MALDI-TOF MS for yeast identification and epidemiological surveillance.

Chromogenic, Biochemical and Proteomic Identification of Yeast and Yeast-like Microorganisms Isolated from Clinical Samples from Animals of Costa Rica

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In Vitro Evaluation of Synergistic Essential Oils Combination for Enhanced Antifungal Activity against Candida spp.

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Disseminated Trichosporonosis Involving Lobar Nephronia, Muscular Abscesses and Cutaneous Papules in a Patient With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report

“…On day 17, after chemotherapy, the fever and skin lesions improved. Blood culture from the peripherally inserted central venous catheter and catheter tip culture yielded Trichosporon asahii (MALDI-TOF MS; score 2.30) (3,4) but nothing from the peripheral line. We also performed 18s rRNA gene PCR from isolated fungal colonies and identified them as T. asahii (GenBank accession no.…”