Cutaneous mycobiota of boid snakes kept in captivity / Microbiota cutânea de serpentes Boidae mantidas em cativeiro

Boids are large, constrictor snakes that feed mostly on mammals, reptiles, and birds. These animals are commonly raised as pets, and their improper handling can favor the emergence of fungal infections, which can lead to dermatological diseases that are undiagnosed in nature. Here, we isolate and identify the filamentous fungi that compose the mycobiota of the scales of boid snakes kept in captivity at the Biological Museum of the Butantan Institute. Thirty individuals of four species were evaluated: four Eunectes murinus, twelve Boa constrictor constrictor, seven Corallus hortulanus, and seven Epicrates crassus. Microbiological samples were collected by rubbing small square carpets on the snake scales. We isolated five genera of fungi: Penicillium sp. (30%), Aspergillus sp. (25%), Mucor sp. (25%), Acremonium sp. (10%), and Scopulariopsis sp. (10%). Approximately half of the snakes evaluated had filamentous fungi on the scales, but only 12% of the individuals were colonized by more than one fungal genus. We found no dermatophytes in the evaluated species. Our results provide an overview of the fungal mycobiota of the population of boids kept in the Biological Museum, allowing the identification of possible pathogens.(AU)

Boidae são serpentes grandes e constritoras, que comem normalmente mamíferos, répteis e aves. São comumente criadas como animais de estimação, e seu manuseio inadequado pode favorecer infecções fúngicas emergentes, as quais podem causar doenças dermatológicas que não são diagnosticadas na natureza. Foram isolados e identificados os fungos filamentosos da microbiota das escamas das serpentes Boidae mantidas em cativeiro no Museu Biológico do Instituto Butantan. Trinta indivíduos de quatro espécies foram avaliados: quatro Eunectes murinus, 12 Boa constrictor constrictor, sete Corallus hortulanus e sete Epicrates crassus. As amostras microbiológicas foram coletadas por fricção, em pequenos quadrados de carpete das escamas das serpentes. Isolaram-se cinco gêneros de fungos: Penicillium sp. (30%), Aspergillus sp. (25%), Mucor sp. (25%), Acremonium sp. (10%) e Scopulariopsis sp. (10%). Aproximadamente metade das serpentes avaliadas tinham fungos filamentosos nas escamas e apenas 12% dos indivíduos foram colonizados por mais de um gênero. Não foram encontrados dermatófitos nas espécies avaliadas. Os resultados mostraram uma visão geral da microbiota fúngica da população de boídeos mantidos no Museu Biológico, o que permitiu a identificação de possíveis patógenos.(AU)

Cutaneous mycobiota of boid snakes kept in captivity

Boids are large, constrictor snakes that feed mostly on mammals, reptiles, and birds. These animals are commonly raised as pets, and their improper handling can favor the emergence of fungal infections, which can lead to dermatological diseases that are undiagnosed in nature. Here, we isolate and identify the filamentous fungi that compose the mycobiota of the scales of boid snakes kept in captivity at the Biological Museum of the Butantan Institute. Thirty individuals of four species were evaluated: four Eunectes murinus, twelve Boa constrictor constrictor, seven Corallus hortulanus, and seven Epicrates crassus. Microbiological samples were collected by rubbing small square carpets on the snake scales. We isolated five genera of fungi: Penicillium sp. (30%), Aspergillus sp. (25%), Mucor sp. (25%), Acremonium sp. (10%), and Scopulariopsis sp. (10%). Approximately half of the snakes evaluated had filamentous fungi on the scales, but only 12% of the individuals were colonized by more than one fungal genus. We found no dermatophytes in the evaluated species. Our results provide an overview of the fungal mycobiota of the population of boids kept in the Biological Museum, allowing the identification of possible pathogens.

Cutaneous mycobiota of boid snakes kept in captivity

Boids are large, constrictor snakes that feed mostly on mammals, reptiles, and birds. These animals are commonly raised as pets, and their improper handling can favor the emergence of fungal infections, which can lead to dermatological diseases that are undiagnosed in nature. Here, we isolate and identify the filamentous fungi that compose the mycobiota of the scales of boid snakes kept in captivity at the Biological Museum of the Butantan Institute. Thirty individuals of four species were evaluated: four Eunectes murinus, twelve Boa constrictor constrictor, seven Corallus hortulanus, and seven Epicrates crassus. Microbiological samples were collected by rubbing small square carpets on the snake scales. We isolated five genera of fungi: Penicillium sp. (30%), Aspergillus sp. (25%), Mucor sp. (25%), Acremonium sp. (10%), and Scopulariopsis sp. (10%). Approximately half of the snakes evaluated had filamentous fungi on the scales, but only 12% of the individuals were colonized by more than one fungal genus. We found no dermatophytes in the evaluated species. Our results provide an overview of the fungal mycobiota of the population of boids kept in the Biological Museum, allowing the identification of possible pathogens.

Leveduras isoladas do pelame de cães sadios que vivem em regime domiciliar / Yeasts isolated from the haircoat of healthy dogs that live indoor

Potentially pathogenic yeasts from the haircoat of dogs that live indoor and visit regularly an esthetic service were collected by the carpet technique applied on the fur. The microorganisms were isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar supplied with chloramphenicol and identified by their morphological and biochemistry characteristics. Candida albicans was identificated in 95.2% of the canine population, followed by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (4.8%). It is known that C. albicans is uncommon on health skin. By the other hand, the high frequency of this agent in this study may represent exposure and risk for opportunistic infections in dogs and other susceptible animals.