MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Brown locusts, Locustana pardalina, host fluconazole-resistant Candidozyma (Candida) auris, closely related to Clade III clinical strains

Summary

Scientists found that brown locusts in South Africa carry a dangerous yeast called Candida auris that is resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole. This yeast is similar to strains that infect hospital patients and is highly adaptable, surviving extreme temperatures and salt levels found in locust guts. This discovery suggests that insects like locusts could play a role in spreading this emerging fungal pathogen in nature, which has important implications for understanding how dangerous microbes spread between animals and humans.

Background

Candidozyma auris is an emerging pathogenic yeast causing nosocomial outbreaks with unclear environmental transmission routes. Members of Candidozyma have been repeatedly associated with various insects, suggesting insects may act as vectors. This study investigates whether thermophilic insects like brown locusts could host C. auris.

Objective

To investigate the presence of C. auris in the digestive tract of brown locusts (Locustana pardalina) as a potential environmental reservoir and vector for this emerging pathogen.

Results

Three C. auris strains were isolated from locusts (15% of specimens tested). The characterized isolate (UOFS Y-4024) belonged to Clade III, was fluconazole-resistant (MIC ≥32 µg/ml), survived at 50°C, grew at 15% NaCl, and was susceptible to various disinfectants and most antifungals tested.

Conclusion

Brown locusts host fluconazole-resistant C. auris closely related to clinical strains, highlighting insects’ potential role in disseminating this emerging pathogen and supporting a One Health approach to understanding pathogenic yeast ecology.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:Observational/Microbiological Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40705343, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaf069
Scroll to Top