Epidemiological investigation of non-albicans Candida species recovered from mycotic mastitis of cows in Yinchuan, Ningxia of China

Abstract

BackgroundCandida spp. is the vital pathogen involved in mycotic mastitis of cows. However the epidemiology and infection of Candida species in mycotic mastitis of cow in Ningxia province of China has not been explored. In the present study, the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence-related genes of non-albicans Candida (NAC) species were investigated.MethodsA total of 482 milk samples from cows with clinical mastitis in four herds of Yinchuan, Ningxia were collected and used for the isolation and identification of mastic pathogens by phenotypic and molecular characteristics, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial susceptibility to antifungal agents was also determined by a disk diffusion assay. The presence of virulence-related genes was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsA total of 60 isolates from nine different Candida species were identified from 256 (60/256, 23.44%) milk samples. The most frequently identified species in cows with clinical mastitis groups were Candida krusei (n = 14) and Candida parapsilosis (n = 6). Others include Candida lipolytica, Candida lusitaniae, Cryptococcus neoformans. But no Candida albicans was identified in this study. Interestingly, All C. krusei isolates (14/14) were resistant to fluconazole, fluorocytosine, itraconazole and ketoconazole, 2 out of 14 C. krusei were resistant to amphotericin, and 8 out of the 14 were resistant to nystatin. Similarly, all six C. parapsilosis isolates were resistant to fluorocytosine, but susceptible to fluconazole, ketoconazole and nystatin; two of the six were resistant amphotericin and itraconazole. Molecularly, all of the C. parapsilosis isolates carried eight virulence-related genes, FKS1, FKS2, FKS3, SAP1, SAP2, CDR1, ERG11 and MDR1. All of the C. krusei isolates contained three virulence-related genes, ERG11, ABC2 and FKS1.ConclusionThese data suggested that Candida species other than C. albicans played a pathogenic role in mycotic mastitis of cows in Yinchuan, Ningxia of China. The high incidence of drug-resistant genes in C. parapsilosis and C. krusei also highlighted a great concern in public and animal health in this region.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Intramammary Infections in Malaysian Dairy Herds

“…3.3-3.7). Bovine mastitis due to yeasts especially Candida spp has been reported elsewhere (Du et al, 2018). IMIs caused by yeasts are linked to treatment against other IMI pathogens, cross infection from contaminated syringes and cannulas and or contaminated antibiotic preparations (Dworecka-Kaszak et al, 2012).…”

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Intramammary Infections in Malaysian Dairy Herds

“…3-7). Bovine mastitis due to yeasts especially Candida spp has been reported elsewhere (Du et al, 2018). IMIs caused by yeasts are linked to treatment against other IMI pathogens, cross infection from contaminated syringes and cannulas and or contaminated antibiotic preparations (Dworecka-Kaszak et al, 2012).…”

<p>Current Aspects in the Biology, Pathogeny, and Treatment of <em>Candida krusei</em>, a Neglected Fungal Pathogen</p>

“…131,132 C. krusei has been also found infecting the tonsils, where only surgical removal of the organ offered a permanent cure, causing septic arthritis, ulcers, urinary tract infections, and vasculitis [133][134][135][136] In veterinary, this organism can also cause infections and deteriorate the health conditions in animals. C. krusei was reported as the causative agent of bovine bronchopneumonia and mastitis in Japan, China, Turkey, Algeria, Canada, Polony, and the United Kingdon; [137][138][139][140][141][142][143] while in cats could be responsible for the failure of long-term gastrostomy tubes. 144 For the case of bovine mastitis, it has been suggested that wheat silage, rather than unappropriated milking is the source of the C. krusei cells affecting the udder.…”

“…Fluconazole is one of the most common antifungal drugs used for empirical treatment of candidiasis; however, C. krusei is a species intrinsically resistant to this drug, with more than 95% of clinical and veterinary isolates being fluconazole-resistant. 141,165 The mechanisms behind this observation are not fully understood yet, but the flux pump activity of the ATP-binding cassette transporter Abc1 and reduced fluconazole affinity to Erg11 have been associated with this phenotypic trait. 165,166 It has been also proposed that both proteins could be part of the resistance mechanisms observed in some itraconazole-resistant strains.…”

“…171,172 In veterinary infections though, isolates resistant to fluorocytosine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and amphotericin B have been reported. 141 The pharmacological alternatives to treat candidiasis caused by C. krusei in animals include sulphamethoxypyridazine in cases of bovine mastitis. 173 There is a vast amount of studies addressing the search and design of compounds with antifungal activity, as well as the use of herbal derivatives with anti-Candida activity, with the potential of being explored as new alternatives to control candidiasis.…”