Antifungal Susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans Strains from Poultry in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Veterinary / Animal Sciences | Research article | https://doi.org/10.47262/SL/13.3.132025320

Antifungal Susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans Strains from Poultry in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Ikoojo Charity Agada¹*, Olatunde Kazeem Olabode¹, Samuel Mailafia¹, Salami Adeiza Charles¹, Martha Echoida-Ogbole¹, Agnes Oluwasheun Abioje¹, Emmanuel Ugochukwu Anaso²

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

²Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Adamawa, Nigeria

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a mycotic disease mostly caused by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gatti. There is a global trend in antifungal resistance in both animal and human medicine. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility of C. neoformans strains from poultry in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. A total of 300 fecal samples from pigeons (n = 100), broiler (n=100), and indigenous chicken (n=100) were collected and analyzed using standard mycological techniques. Presumptive isolates were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR confirmed 15 (5%) C. neoformans isolates. Antifungal susceptibility testing of 15 C. neoformans strains isolated from pigeons (n = 3), broiler chickens (n = 3), and indigenous chickens (n = 9) were evaluated against 10 commonly prescribed antifungal agents using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The result of the ASF showed varying degrees of susceptibility of C. neoformans strains to the azole group and other antifungal agents tested. The strains were susceptible to itraconazole (93.3 %), posaconazole (86.7%), voriconazole, and caspofungin (73.3%). The isolates were completely resistant to metronidazole and griseofulvin (100 %), ketoconazole (86,7%), and fluconazole (60%). Six resistance phenotypes were exhibited by the C. neoformans isolates against the ten antifungal agents tested. The common resistance pattern observed was fluconazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, and metronidazole, displayed by 46.6% (n = 7) of the isolates. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed variable susceptibility patterns among the C. neoformans strains, highlighting the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, the emergence of antifungal resistance underscores the need for continued surveillance and development of novel therapeutic agents targeting Cryptococcus species as avian habitats serve as major reservoirs for human exposure.