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New study finds emerging pathogen inside brown locusts

17 February 2025 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied

Prof Carolina Pohl-Albertyn — Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn is the NRF SARChI Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts at the UFS.

A new study by researchers from the University of the Free State (UFS), the National Health Laboratory Service, and the University of Venda has confirmed for the first time that common brown locusts are carriers of pathogenic yeasts that can cause severe infections in humans – especially in people with compromised immune systems or who are seriously ill.

The study, ‘South African brown locusts, Locustana pardalina, hosts fluconazole resistant, Candidozyma (Candida) auris (Clade III)’, highlights for the first time the presence of the pathogenic (disease-producing) fungal yeast C. auris in the digestive tract of the locusts, and shows their potential in disseminating this emerging pathogen. The research started in April 2022, when 20 gregarious (swarming) adult locusts were collected during a large locust outbreak which occurred from September 2021 to May 2022 in the semi-arid Eastern Karoo region in the Eastern Cape. The study is still under peer review.

According to Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, National Research Foundation (NRF) SARChI Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts, three C. auris strains were isolated from three different adult locusts, two of which also harboured strains of another potentially pathogenic yeast, Candida orthopsilosis. “The fact that we were able to isolate C. auris from 15% of the sampled locusts, using non-selective media and a non-restrictive temperature of 30°C, may indicate that C. auris is abundant in the locusts and that specific selective isolation is not mandatory,” Prof Pohl-Albertyn said.

“Interestingly, C. auris was isolated from the fore- and hindgut of the locusts. Isolation from the foregut, which is dedicated to food intake and storage, filtering and partial digestion, indicates that C. auris was probably obtained by the locusts via feeding activities. Isolation from the hindgut confirms that C. auris can survive the digestive processes in the midgut and is likely to be released back into the environment via faeces.”

Healthy humans are not at great risk

One of the C. auris strains was studied in more detail. This strain was not resistant to disinfectants but showed decreased susceptibility to the common antifungal drug fluconazole. This is a characteristic of this yeast species and thus not surprising. Most of the emerging pathogenic yeasts show this intrinsic resistance. This highlights the urgent need to discover and develop new antifungal drugs.

Prof Pohl-Albertyn, also a Professor of Microbiology in the UFS Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, says, “Healthy humans are not at great risk for infection by this yeast and there is currently no proof that ingestion may be harmful to them. This is unfortunately not the case for people with compromised immune systems or who are seriously ill. However, few susceptible people come into direct contact with the locusts in South Africa.”

She added that there are treatment options available, using other antifungal drugs, but C. auris can become resistant to all the currently available antifungal drugs.

Importance of the study

“The fact that locusts are a food source for other animals, such as birds, could lead to eventual distribution of the yeast to people. In other countries, wild locusts are a food source for humans and there more direct transmission may be possible,” Prof Pohl-Albertyn said.

She explained that this study tries to answer questions regarding the natural hosts of this emerging pathogen and how it may facilitate the spread of the pathogen to the rest of the environment. The study is one part of the puzzle regarding how new pathogens may emerge from the environment and spread to people.

“One of the questions in the field of pathogenic yeasts is how C. auris was able to emerge as a pathogen in several different countries in a relatively short period. It is well known as a hospital-acquired pathogen, but it is not known where in the environment it occurs naturally, and which environmental factors may have shaped its evolution and ability to cause human infections. This has implications for the prevention of the spread of this specific yeast species, as well as our preparedness for new pathogenic yeasts that may be emerging from the environment.”

News Archive

During 2011: Sport

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Our sports stars set their gaols high and with hard work, dedication a good measure of determination they show that they will not give up until these goals are met. A place in the national team or a medal or award in hand is enough proof that our Kovsie sportsmen and women are serious about their successes on the sports field.

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Some of our stars this year were:

Athletics:

Thuso Mpuang, our Kovsie Sportsman of the year, represented South Africa during the World Athletic Championships in Deague, Korea. He obtained the silver medal in the 200m during the World Student Games in Shenzhen, China and a gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Janette Siebert represented South Africa during the Southern Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.

Boy Soke represented South Africa during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Cape Town. He also represented South Africa during the World Cross Country Championships in China.

Cricket:

The 21-year-old former Kovsie, Obus Pienaar, who was still playing cricket for our university club until the end of the season (end of March), has been playing abroad for the Irish cricket club Waringstown from the end of April 2011.
We are proud of Obus’ achievements, in particular his contribution to the match against the CIYMS. During this game, Obus hit the highest score ever in the Northern Cricket Unions when he scored 244 runs in only 114 balls. This included 22 sixes and 13 fours. During his innings in this match, Obus also broke the July 2004 record of his compatriot, AB de Villiers of the Proteas.

Hockey:

Lesley Ann George represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Champs Challenge in Ireland. The team finished fifth.

Nicole de Vries represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.

Hettie Oosthuizen represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Izelle Lategan represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Nicole Kemp was a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.

Karate:

Elsabe le Roux was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where she obtained a gold and silver medal.

Bruno Schwalbach was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where he obtained two gold medals. He was also a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Common Wealth Karate Championship in Australia where he obtained one silver and two bronze medals. He was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the All Africa Games in Maputo Mozambique where he obtained a bronze medal.

Balungile Nchofe was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate Team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championship in Maputo, where he obtained a gold medal.

Netball:

Kovsies’ netball team has performed well over the past year with, amongst others, the inclusion of players in the SA Universities World-cup Group.

Karla Mostert and Maryka Holtzhausen participated during the World Cup in Singapore in the SPAR SA Protea team.

We are also proud of the eight players who have been included in the SA team. They are Zimari Smit, Sheri Duimpies, Ane Botha, Danique du Toit, Nieke Loubser, Karla Mostert, Fikile Mkhuzangwe and Lauren-lee Christians.

At the SA tournament, Ane Botha was named as the centre-court player of the tournament, whilst Karla Mostert was named as the best defending player. Karla has also been included in the SPAR SA Protea team to the All African Games, which start in Mozambique at the end of August.

Rugby:

Boom Prinsloo and Robert Ebershohn are representing the Springboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Soccer:

Gabisile Hlumbane, our Kovsie Sportswomanof the year, is a member of the Banyana Banyana National Soccer Team. The team obtained a bronze medal at the African Women’s Championships during October 2010, a gold medal at the Unity Cup Hosted during December 2010, a silver medal at the COSAFA Women’s Championship hosted during July 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics in 2012.

Squash:

Paul Rodrigues represented the South African U/ 23 team at the All Africa Squash Championships in Johannesburg.

Triathlon:

Nelmaré Loubser represented the SA Elite Team during the World Championships in Spain.

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