The Scedosporium apiospermum complex is common in the environment, especially in environment dominated by man (agricultural soil, gardens, sewers, polluted ponds and sediments). For this reason, the precise knowledge of the habitats and the potential reservoirs of species is of epidemiological importance. S. apiospermum complex is a saprophytic filamentous fungus capable of causing a wide variety of infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Thus, we aim to study the fungal microbiota of bat guano by focusing on Scedosporium spp.We examined guano bat samples collected in different regions of France. The fungal growth was analyzed macro and microscopically after the incubation time of 4-7 days with the use of the semi-selective medium called Scedo-Select III along with other media like Yeast Extract – Peptone – Dextrose –Agar (YPDA) with Chloramphenicol and YPDA with voriconazol. Afterwards, some fungi were selected for PCR (on the ITS area of the genome). So far, we have analyzed 54 guano bat samples in which we identified several fungi, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, Scopulariopsis, Scedosporium, Mucorales and yeast species. Out of these samples, 5 were positive for Scedosporium spp. and these were concentrated around the 3 regions of the 18 that we had studied. At this moment, we are waiting for the sequencing to confirm the results. We also want to investigate if bats can be a vector of fungi and if there is any association with other emerging pathogens, like species of the genus Rasamsonia, which also can cause respiratory infections (these being frequently misidentified as Penicillium or Paecilomyces species); it is for this reason, that morphological observation with molecular identification is necessary.


5 / FUNGAL STUDY OF GUANO BAT SAMPLES