Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.
Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.
Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Apr 2;12(4):e0290323. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02903-23. Epub 2024 Feb 27.
and cause cryptococcosis, a systemic mycosis that infects a wide range of species. Recent molecular biological investigations have allowed for the genotyping of these species, providing more detailed information on their pathogenicity and infection routes. Koalas () are frequently colonized by spp., but molecular epidemiological studies have yet to be conducted in Japan. Here, we conducted multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis on spp. colonization isolates obtained from all koalas kept in seven parks across Japan. Out of 46 koalas examined, 10 (22%) were positive for and 3 (6.5%) were positive for . All isolates belonged to molecular type VGI and were either sequence type (ST) 51 or a novel ST, and all isolates belonged to molecular type VNI and ST23. Despite the frequent movement of koalas between parks, the STs were relatively park-specific, suggesting that the floor of the rearing barns is a source of infection and may act as a reservoir. MLST analysis confirmed that was transported, established, and spread by koalas in areas where was not originally present. MLST analysis is considered useful in assessing the pathogenicity and tracing the transmission routes of spp. carried by koalas.IMPORTANCEThis is the first study to conduct a multi-locus sequence typing analysis on spp. carried by captive koalas in Japan. Cryptococcosis remains a globally high-fatality fungal infection in humans, and captive koalas are known to carry a high percentage of spp. Through this research, the molecular types and transmission routes of spp. carried by koalas have been elucidated, revealing the potential role of enclosure flooring as a reservoir. It has been confirmed that , which is not endemic in Japan, has become established through koalas and is spreading to new individuals in Japan. This study is believed to provide valuable insights into koala conservation and contribute to the One Health approach for Cryptococcosis, a zoonotic infection.
并且会引起 cryptococcosis，一种系统性真菌感染，感染范围广泛。最近的分子生物学研究使得对这些物种进行基因分型成为可能，提供了关于它们的致病性和感染途径的更详细信息。考拉（）经常被 spp.定植，但在日本还没有进行分子流行病学研究。在这里，我们对从日本七个公园饲养的所有考拉中获得的 spp.定植分离株进行了多位点序列分型（MLST）分析。在检查的 46 只考拉中，有 10 只（22%）对 spp.呈阳性，有 3 只（6.5%）对 spp.呈阳性。所有 spp.分离株属于分子型 VGI，均为序列型（ST）51 或新型 ST，所有 spp.分离株属于分子型 VNI 和 ST23。尽管考拉在公园之间频繁移动，但 ST 相对具有公园特异性，表明饲养棚的地板是感染源，可能是一个储库。MLST 分析证实，在原本没有 spp.存在的地区，考拉携带、建立和传播了。MLST 分析被认为有助于评估 spp.的致病性并追踪考拉携带的传播途径。
重要性这是首次在日本对圈养考拉携带的 spp.进行多位点序列分型分析。 cryptococcosis 仍然是一种在全球范围内导致高死亡率的真菌感染，已知圈养考拉携带高比例的 spp.通过这项研究，阐明了考拉携带的 spp.的分子类型和传播途径，揭示了封闭地板作为储库的潜在作用。已经证实，在日本非地方性的 spp.已经通过考拉建立并传播到日本的新个体。这项研究被认为为考拉保护提供了有价值的见解，并为 cryptococcosis 的动物健康与人类健康关联方法做出了贡献。
