Characterization of the gastrointestinal yeast microbiota of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus): a potential hazard to human health

• DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.017426-0
• Publication Date: 2010-02-12T02:26:08Z
• Authors: R. S. N. Brilhante; D. S. C. M. Caste...; G. D. P. Soares; D. J. Astete-Medrano; A. J. Monteiro; R. A. Cordeiro; J. J. C. Sidrim; M. F. G. Rocha
• Keywords: Trichosporon; Pathogenic bacteria

Cockatiels are the world's second most popular psittacine pet bird, but no data characterizing their gastrointestinal microbiota have been found. Thus, aim of this work was to characterize yeast cockatiels and evaluate relevance as carriers potentially pathogenic yeasts. A total 60 cockatiels, from 15 different premises, were assessed. thorough clinical examination performed with each samples collected oral cavity, crop cloaca. The stools cages where birds kept. isolates identified according morphological biochemical characteristics. Yeasts isolated at least one anatomical site 65% 64.3% stool samples. cavity (53.3%) (58.3%) sites highest prevalence number isolates. Overall, 120 isolates, belonging 13 species, obtained. frequently species Candida albicans, 39 (32.5%) followed by tropicalis (20%), Trichosporon asteroides (12.5%), famata (10%) others. Mixed colonies 23.3% C. albicans seldom found in association other (P<0.05). results demonstrated that harbour yeasts throughout tract stools, prone disseminating them environment.