Vol3-1Art2

Under the wing: diversity of avian mycoses in a One Health perspective

Aryse Martins Melo1, Lívia Silveira Munhoz2, Vanice Rodrigues Poester2, Sabrina Vieu3,4, Pascal Arné5, Jacques Guillot3,4, Melissa Orzechowski Xavier2#

1Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; 2School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; 3Oniris, Nantes, France; 4Université d’Angers, Université de Brest, IRF, Angers, France; 5Ecole nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort, CHUV-FS, Maisons-Alfort, France

Abstract

Mycoses represent a significant threat to avian health, with potential implications at the human-animal-environment interface. Birds have a unique susceptibility to mycoses due to distinctive anatomical, physiological, and immunological traits, particularly within the respiratory system, which favour fungal colonization and subsequent infection. This article provides a comprehensive overview of avian mycoses, encompassing predisposing host factors, major deep and superficial fungal infections, diagnostic approaches, treatment challenges, and preventive strategies. Aspergillosis remains the most prevalent and clinically relevant mycosis in birds, affecting poultry, captive wildlife, and free-ranging species, while other fungal diseases, including candidiasis, macrorhabdosis, cryptococcosis, hyalo- or phaeo-hyphomycoses are reported less frequently but may cause severe disease under specific conditions. In addition to their role as susceptible hosts, birds can act as reservoirs and long-distance disseminators of pathogenic fungi, including azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, Cryptococcus yeasts, and emerging pathogens such as Candida (Candidozyma) auris. Migratory behaviour, environmental contamination via droppings, and climate-driven ecological changes further amplify the relevance of avian mycoses within a One Health framework.


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#Correspondence:
melissaxavierfurg@gmail.com

Article info:
Received 22 January 2026
Revised 7 February 2026
Accepted 14 February 2026
Appeared online 20 February 2026
One Health Mycology 3(1): 11-19, 2026
doi.org/10.63049/OHM.26.31.2

Cite this article:
Melo AM, Munhoz LS, Poester VR, Vieu S, Arné P, Guillot J, Xavier MO 2026. Under the wing: diversity of avian mycoses in a One Health perspective. One Health Mycology 3(1), 11-19
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Keywords:
Avian mycoses, One Health wildlife diseases, antifungal resistance, migratory birds, climate change, environmental health

Article highlights:

  • Birds are highly susceptibility to mycoses due to distinctive anatomical, physiological, and immunological traits.
  • Aspergillosis remains the most prevalent avian mycosis, with significant impact on domestic, wild, and rehabilitating birds.
  • Less common avian mycoses, such as candidiasis, macrorhabdosis, cryptococcosis, and hyalo- or phaeohyphomycoses, may cause severe disease under specific conditions.
  • Birds also act as reservoirs and disseminators of pathogenic fungi, including azole-resistant strains.
  • Integrating avian mycoses into a One Health framework is essential to understand environmental risks, the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic impacts in the presence and resistance of fungal pathogens.