A research group led by Dr. Guo Yu of the Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University Graduate School of Medicine, Assistant Professor Areshakhni Muhammad Mahdi of the Teikyo University Medical Mycology Research Center, and Koichi Makimura, Deputy Director of the same center, discovered a new species of koala from the breeding room of the Japan Zoo. announced the discovery of yeast.
Koalas are known to be susceptible to cryptococcosis, an infection caused by pathogenic yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus.In order to protect koalas, which are rare animals, from cryptococcosis, which is commonly called koala disease, this research group has been studying the types and amounts of fungi in koalas and koala breeding rooms kept in zoos all over Japan for more than 20 years. I have been investigating.
As part of this activity, we were measuring the amount of yeast, including the genus Cryptococcus, on the perch of the koalas installed in the breeding room. found to contain yeast.The fungus was named "Begerowomyces aurantius" after forming yellowish-pink colonies.This is the fifth time that the Teikyo University Medical Mycology Research Center has named a new strain of yeast related to koalas.
Based on the results of the culture test, it is considered that this bacterium is not pathogenic, but the genus Begerowomyces to which this bacterium belongs has just been described as a new genus in 2020.It is expected to have as yet undiscovered properties.
As with humans, various microorganisms are resident in the nasal cavities of animals, but it is unknown what kind of microorganisms grow in each animal.Koalas may also have their own microbiota, and the center will continue to study the effects of these microbes on humans and animals.
Paper information:[Journal of Veterinary Medical Science] Begerowomycesaurantius sp. nov., a novel yeast isolated from koalas' habitat in a Japanese zoological park
