MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Multilocus sequence typing of Candida albicans isolates from wild and farm animals from southern Italy

Summary

Researchers studied a fungal pathogen called Candida albicans found in farm and wild animals in Italy to understand how it spreads between animals and humans. They used genetic analysis to compare isolates from laying hens, wild boars, and lizards with samples from infected humans around the world. The results showed that animal isolates were genetically similar to human clinical samples, suggesting animals could serve as reservoirs for this infection. This research highlights the importance of monitoring fungal diseases in animal populations as part of understanding disease transmission between animals and people.

Background

Candida albicans is a leading cause of invasive candidiasis in humans and animals, recognized as a critical priority pathogen by the WHO. Despite growing attention, few studies have investigated its genetic diversity and population structure in non-human hosts. This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding C. albicans evolution and transmission potential in animal reservoirs.

Objective

To characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of C. albicans isolates from wild and farm animals in southern Italy using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The study aimed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between animal isolates and clinical isolates from humans and other geographical regions to assess zoonotic transmission potential.

Results

Of 27 diploid sequence types identified, 22 (81.5%) were novel. Most isolates clustered in clade 10 (52%), with 59% classified as singletons and 41% placed in 6 clonal complexes. The C. albicans isolates from animals clustered with clinical isolates from humans and other geographical regions, indicating close genetic relationships and potential cross-transmission.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate high genetic diversity of C. albicans in animal populations with significant zoonotic transmission potential. The close genetic relationships between animal and human isolates suggest that wild boars and laying hens may serve as reservoirs and spreaders of C. albicans through environmental contamination, highlighting the need for further investigation of transmission dynamics.
  • Published in:One Health,
  • Study Type:Molecular Epidemiology Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41017842, DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101196
Scroll to Top