Horse: a potential source of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Egypt.
Authors: Mohammed Rahma, Nader Sara M, Hamza Dalia A, Sabry Maha A
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are opportunistic fungal pathogens with significant zoonotic potential, yet their prevalence in equine populations remains poorly characterised outside developed nations. Researchers in Egypt collected 223 samples—183 nasal swabs from horses, 28 from humans, and 12 from soil—to determine whether horses might serve as a reservoir or transmission source for these fungi, using conventional culture methods alongside multiplex PCR serotyping and virulence gene analysis (LAC1, CAP59, PLB1). The study identified Cryptococcus isolates in horse nasal samples, with both C. neoformans and C. gattii detected; phylogenetic analysis linked equine isolates to those recovered from nearby soil and human samples, suggesting epidemiological linkage rather than isolated equine infection. These findings indicate that horses in Egypt can harbour and potentially shed pathogenic Cryptococcus species, positioning them as a possible reservoir for human infection, particularly concerning for immunocompromised individuals in endemic areas. For equine practitioners in regions with limited epidemiological data, this work underscores the need for heightened clinical awareness of cryptococcosis in horses presenting with respiratory or neurological signs, and supports consideration of routine screening protocols where disease prevalence is unknown.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horses may serve as a reservoir or source of Cryptococcus species transmission to humans; implement biosecurity measures when handling horses with respiratory signs in Egypt
- •Clinical awareness of cryptococcosis in equine patients presenting with chronic rhinosinusitis, pneumonia, or neurological signs is warranted, particularly in immunocompromised settings
- •Consider Cryptococcus in the differential diagnosis of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in horses, especially in endemic regions
Key Findings
- •Cryptococcus spp. was identified in nasal swabs from horses in Egypt, establishing equines as a potential environmental source of human infection
- •Both C. neoformans and C. gattii were detected in horse samples, with molecular serotyping and virulence gene characterization performed
- •Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of C. gattii isolates from horses, humans, and nearby soil samples, suggesting shared epidemiological linkage
- •Cryptococcal isolates from horses carried virulence genes (LAC1, CAP59, PLB1), indicating potential pathogenic capacity