Fungi isolated from selected birds potentially pathogenic to humans

Abstract

The mycology of swabs collected from the beak and the cloaca in 4 species of mud and water waders, migrating through various climatic zones,was analysed. Diagnostic standards were used 54 isolates of fungi belonging to 5 genera: Aspergillus - 53.9%, <i>Rhodotorula</i> - 19.6%, <i>Candida</i> - 14.8%, <i>Saccharomyces</i> - 6.9%, and <i>Torulopsis</i> - 4.8%, were obtained. A total number of 15 species of which <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> and <i>A.flavus</i> as well as <i>Candida albicans</i>, <i>C. tropicalis</i> and <i>C. glabrata</i> are of the greatest significance in epidemiology of mycoses, was recorded. Numerous fungi were isolated from the cloaca, which indicates that the birds examined are carriers and suggasts that they may take an active part in thc transmission of fungi that arc dangerous for humans and that colonise water reservoirs.