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Poultry farms as reservoirs of azole-resistant fungi: occupational health risks in agricultural facilities
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
The intensification of poultry farming has raised concerns regarding microbial contamination and antifungal resistance, particularly involving Aspergillus fumigatus, a key pathogen presenting clinical relevance. This study aims to present the first in-depth evaluation of environmental conditions, airborne particles, microbial contamination, and fungal resistance to azole drugs in poultry farm environments. A multi-approach sampling strategy (passive and active sampling methods) was conducted throughout the poultry production cycle. Microbial characterization was performed, combining culture-dependent methods and molecular techniques with a focus on fungal diversity and azole resistance. Bacterial and fungal loads indoors exceed the outdoor levels in 80.85 % (n = 38/47) and 78.72 % (n = 37/47) of air samples, respectively. Toxigenic fungal species (Aspergillus spp. and Penicilium spp.) were widespread (air, swabs, electrostatic dust cloths, feed, bed). Fungi resistant to at least one antifungal (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole) were found in 53.3 % of the total samples collected inside poultry pavilions (n = 45/126), including potentially azole-resistant Aspergillus species. Particulate matter acts as a carrier of microorganisms, enhancing workers' respiratory exposure risks. Electrostatic dust cloths proved to be a valuable sampling method for exposure assessment to potential pathogenic and resistant fungi. Our findings identify poultry farms as potential hotspots for toxigenic and azole-resistant fungi with implications for occupational health. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted biosafety strategies to mitigate not only microbial contamination in the workplace but also the spread of antifungal-resistant fungi in poultry facilities and surroundings.
Descrição
This work is supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. I.P. by the project UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; It is also supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020 and UIDB/05608/2020; 2023.01366.BD; 2023.01366.BD.10.54499/2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/151431/2021; and also by Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa - Lisbon projects IPL/IDI&CA2024/WWTPSValor_ESTeSL and IPL/IDI&CA2024/MycoSOS_ESTeSL.
Palavras-chave
Aspergillus spp. Azole resistance Occupational exposure Particulate matter Poultry farms IPL/IDI&CA2024/WWTPSValor_ESTeSL IPL/IDI&CA2024/MycoSOS_ESTeSL FCT_UIDP/05608/2020 FCT_UIDB/05608/2020
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Gomes B, Dias M, Cervantes R, Pena P, Carolino E, Caetano LA, Viegas S, Viegas C. Poultry farms as reservoirs of azole-resistant fungi: occupational health risks in agricultural facilities. One Health. 2025;21:101230.
Editora
Elsevier BV