Identifying and Characterizing Different Yeast Species Within the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms important for degrading organic matter but can also be tightly associated with humans, other animals, and plants. While most fungi are commensal inside of the human body, they have pathogenic potential. Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that lives inside of humans and is responsible for diseases like thrush and yeast infections. We have also found C. albicans in other mammals including mice, rabbits, deer, and coyotes; however, it is relatively unknown what yeast species colonize the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). By isolating yeast from black bear fecal samples, we found that diverse yeast species can be readily isolated, showing that diverse species of fungi may colonize black bears. Importantly, a number of these species have not been previously described and a number are opportunistic pathogens of humans. This work is revealing new species that could potentially pose health problems to immunocompromised patients, as well as potentially be opportunistic pathogens in black bear populations.