Human activity directly or indirectly causes climate change, promoting changes in the composition of the atmosphere. This change is beyond the variation of the natural climate. In this manner, climate change could create an environmental pressure which is enough to trigger new fungal diseases. In addition to climate alterations, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been associated with the emergence of fungal pathogens. Fungi showed that an inability to grow at high temperatures limits the capacity of fungi to infect mammals. However, fungi can develop thermotolerance, gradually adapting to rising temperatures due to climate change, and generating a greater number of disease-causing organisms. In the present study, we reported the detection and identification of Candida palmioleophila isolates recovered from raw sewage samples in Niteroi city, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, during a monitoring program for measuring SARS-CoV-2 presence and concentration. Using polyphasic taxonomy to identify the species and evaluating some virulence aspects of this species, such as biofilm formation and extracellular enzyme production, our data highlight this species as a possible emerging pathogen in Brazil, especially in the pandemic context.

The current climate change scenario caused by anthropogenic activities has resulted in novel environmental pressures, increasing the occurrence and severity of fungal infections in the marine environment. Research on fungi in several taxonomic groups is widespread although not the case for elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). In this context, the aim of the present study was to screen the oral fungal microbiota present in artisanally captured Rioraja agassizii, a batoid that, although endangered, is highly fished and consumed worldwide. Oropharyngeal samples were obtained by swabbing and the samples were investigated using morphological and phenotypic methods by streaking on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and subculturing onto CHROMagar Candida (BD Difco) and CHROMagar Candida Plus (CHROMagar^TM), as well as molecular techniques by amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal DNA region and a MALDI-TOF MS assessment. The findings indicated the presence of Candida parapsilosis (seven isolates), Candida duobushaemulonii (one isolate) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (three isolates), several of these reported for the first time in Rioraja agassizii. In addition, a 100% agreement between the MALDI-TOF results and partial ITS region sequencing was noted, demonstrating that the MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid and effective alternative for yeast identification in Rioraja agassizii isolates and potentially in other elasmobranch species. These findings highlight the need for further research to determine the potential impact on elasmobranch health, ecology, and commercial fisheries. Furthermore, this research is paramount in a One Health framework and may be employed to predict elasmobranch responses to an evolving ocean, keep healthy populations in check, monitor species, and assess the public health consequences of consuming these species.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis with worldwide distribution and caused by eight pathogenic species of the Sporothrix genus. Different ex situ preservation methods are used around the world to maintain the survival, morphophysiological and genetic traits of fungal strains isolated from patients with sporotrichosis for long terms. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival, phenotypic and genotypic stability of Sporothrix strains after preservation on PDA slant stored at 4 °C, sterile water and cryopreservation at −80 °C, for a period of time of 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of storage. Eight clinical Sporothrix isolates were identified based on a polyphasic approach consisting of classical macro- and micro-morphological traits, biochemical assays, proteomic profiles by MALDI-TOF MS and molecular biology. According to the final identification, one strain was identified as S. schenckii (CMRVS 40428) and seven strains were re-identified as S. brasiliensis (CMRVS 40421, CMRVS 40423, CMRVS 40424, CMRVS 40425, CMRVS 40426, CMRVS 40427 and CMRVS 40433). In addition, it was observed that the isolates survived after the different time points of storage in distilled water, PDA slant and cryopreservation at −80 °C. For fungi preserved in water, low polymorphisms were detected by the partial sequencing of β-tubulin. Cryopreservation at −80 °C induced morphological changes in one single isolate. The proteomic profiles obtained by MALDI-TOF MS after preservation showed differences among the methods. In conclusion, preservation on agar slant stored at 4 °C was the most effective method to preserve the eight clinical Sporothrix strains. This method produced less change in the phenotypic traits and kept the genetic integrity of all strains. Agar slant stored at 4 °C is a simple and inexpensive method and can be especially used in culture collections of limited funding and resources.