Yeast interactions with aquatic insects, including the genus Microvelia part of the Gerridae family (subfamily Microveliinae), are complex affecting not only the digestive capacity of these animals, but also their ecological and evolutionary implications. Yeasts can provide essential nutrients, and the transportation of yeast to new habitats by insects can potentially threaten other species. Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto ( C. parapsilosis) is an emerging fungal pathogen that can influence microbial populations in aquatic ecosystems and raises concern due to its increasing resistance to antifungal therapies. The presence of this yeast in these insects raises concerns regarding the risk of zoonotic transmission and the possible spread of resistant strains to other environments. The scientific literature on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has focused on bacteria; however, the role of insects as mechanical vectors of antifungal-resistant strains is a relevant field. Therefore, pathogenic fungi such as C. parapsilosis , carried by aquatic and semiaquatic bugs, may be part of an important ecological phenomenon, and further research is needed to better understand this interaction. In this study, we aimed to isolate and identify pathogenic environmental yeasts colonizing Microvelia pulchella (M. pulchella) and also to evaluate the susceptibility of the isolates. Seven specimens of M. pulchella collected in Jaconé, Rio de Janeiro, yielded two isolates of C. parapsilosis . Isolate identification was conducted using MALDI-TOF MS and partial sequencing of the ITS region, while antifungal susceptibility was evaluated using the VITEK 2 system. Susceptibility assessments indicated that these isolates showed no resistance to the evaluated antifungal medications. However, the presence of C. parapsilosis in M. pulchella highlights a potential ecological mechanism for the dispersal of pathogenic fungi and demonstrates the ability of these organisms to serve as carriers. Although the isolates did not exhibit antifungal resistance, the first description of C. parapsilosis in M. pulchella in this study is noteworthy, considering the possibility of zoonotic transmission facilitated by environmental dispersion. This highlights the importance of continuously monitoring the interactions between fungi and insects, not only to clarify their ecological significance but also to predict new risks associated with the spread of pathogenic fungi in natural habitats.
Pinto et al. (Fri,) studied this question.