Revision as of 18:12, 28 July 2011

Introduction

Caused by Candida spp.
Noramlly present on skin and in GI tract
Immunocompromised animals may show symptoms
Usually lesions on mucous membranes and at mucocutaneous junctions
Grossly:
- Exudative, papular, pustular to ulcerative dermatitis
- Stomatitis and otitis externa may develop
Microscopically:
- Spongiotic neutrophilic pustular inflammation
- Parakeratosis
- Ulcerations
- Superficial exudate containing organisms

Candidasis in birds

Signalment

The disease is common in neonatal psittacine birds. Immunosuppressive conditions and trauma to the ingluvies lead to the development of candidiasis. Predisposing factors include hypothermia, feeding a formula that is too cold or too hot - causing crop burns, poor nutrition, longterm antibiotic therapy, hypovitaminosis A and systemic illness from other causes.

Clinical Sings

The bird may present with inflammation and delayed emptying of the ingluvies.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on identification of oval yeasts and hyphae on cytological smears taken from swabs and crop washes or aspirates. Wrights stain can be used to demonstrate the yeasts. There should be no evidence of an inflammatory response. The presence of hyphae indicates that the crop may have been penetrated and the infection spread systemically.

Treatment

An antifungal drug is indicated for the treatment of candidiasis. The presence of hyphae is suggestive of invasion of the mucosa by the yeast and the potential for a systemic infection. Therefore, a systemic antifungal – e.g. itraconazole PO for 7 days – should be used along with a local or topical antifungal, e.g. nystatin BID or TID for 7–10 days.

Prognosis

The presence of hyphae on cytological examination suggests a severe infection and potential systemic spread, and therefore a poor prognosis. Without evidence of hyphae the prognosis is improved.

References

Forbes NA & Altman RB (1998) Self-Assessment Colour Review Avian Medicine Manson Publishing Ltd

Girling, S (2004) Diseases of the digestive tract of psittacine birds In Practice 2004 26: 146-15

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{OpenPagesTop}}
+=Introduction=
-==Introduction==
+*Caused by [[Candida spp.|''Candida'' spp.]]
-[[File:C albicans germ tubes.jpg|200px|right|thumb|''Candida'' spp]]
+*Noramlly present on skin and in [[Alimentary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|GI tract]]
-Candidiasis is a '''fungal infection''' caused by [[Candida spp.|''Candida'' spp.]],  most commonly '''''Candida ablicans''''' that affects many species.
+*Immunocompromised animals may show symptoms
+*Usually lesions on mucous membranes and at mucocutaneous junctions
+*Grossly:
+**Exudative, papular, pustular to ulcerative dermatitis
+**Stomatitis and otitis externa may develop
+*Microscopically:
+**Spongiotic neutrophilic pustular inflammation
+**Parakeratosis
+**Ulcerations
+**Superficial exudate containing organisms
-The yeast is normally present on '''skin''' and in the [[Alimentary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|GI tract]]. Symptoms of disease are usually only seen in '''immunocompromised''' animals following '''opportunistic''' infection.  It is most common in the bird (see [[Candidiasis - Birds]]) but has also been reported in [[Candidiasis – Rabbit|rabbits]], horses, pigs, cows, sheep, cats and dogs - in particular neonates.
+=Candidasis in birds=
-==Clinical Signs==
+==Signalment==
-Lesions are found on '''mucous membranes''' and at '''mucocutaneous junctions''' most commonly. The disease will usually remain '''localised''' to the mucocutaneous junctions, but on rare occasions it may spread '''systemically'''.
+The disease is common in '''neonatal psittacine birds'''. '''Immunosuppressive''' conditions and '''trauma''' to the ingluvies lead to the development of candidiasis. Predisposing factors include hypothermia, feeding a formula that is too cold or too hot - causing crop burns, poor nutrition, longterm antibiotic therapy, hypovitaminosis A and systemic illness from other causes.
-Gross clinical signs include:
+==Clinical Sings==
-* '''Exudative''', '''papular''', '''pustular''' to '''ulcerative dermatitis'''
+The bird may present with '''inflammation''' and '''delayed emptying''' of the '''ingluvies'''.
-* '''Raised''', '''circular white plaques''' or '''ulcers''' with overlying '''scabs'''
-* '''Keratinous thickening''' of tissue
-* [[Stomatitis|'''Stomatitis''']] and [[Otitis Externa - Cat and Dog|'''otitis externa''']]
-Microscopically there is evidence of:
-*Spongiotic neutrophilic pustular [[Inflammation|'''inflammation''']]
-*'''Parakeratosis'''
-*'''Ulcerations'''
-*Superficial [[Exudate|'''exudate''']] containing organisms
-Infection may also cause a variety of '''other clinical signs''' depending on the '''species''' and the '''site of infection''', for example [[Mastitis|mastitis]], [[Arthritis|arthritis]], [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] and general malaise.
-==Predisposing factors==
-* Immunosuppressive drugs
-* Immunosuppressive disease
-* Indwelling urinary or intravenous catheters
-* Antibiotic administration
 ==Diagnosis==
-Diagnosis can be confirmed via '''microscopic examination''' and '''identification of the fungus''' following a '''skin scrape''' of the lesion. The fungus should be visible after staining with a Gram, Methylene Blue or Wrights stain. It is a '''gram-positive ovoid''', '''budding yeast''' with or without '''hyphae'''. '''Culture''' of a sample in Sabourauds Dextrose agar or Blood agar should also confirm diagnosis.
+Diagnosis is based on '''identification of oval yeasts''' and '''hyphae''' on '''cytological smears''' taken from swabs and crop washes or aspirates. '''Wrights stain''' can be used to demonstrate the yeasts. There should be no evidence of an inflammatory response. The presence of '''hyphae''' indicates that the crop may have been penetrated and the infection '''spread systemically'''.
 ==Treatment==
-'''Topical''' or '''systemic anti-fungals''' are used to treat the infection.
+An '''antifungal drug''' is indicated for the treatment of candidiasis. The presence of hyphae is suggestive of invasion of the mucosa by the yeast and the potential for a systemic infection. Therefore, a '''systemic antifungal''' – e.g. itraconazole PO for 7 days – should be used along with a local or topical antifungal, e.g. nystatin BID or TID for 7–10 days.
 ==Prognosis==
-Prognosis depends on both the severity of infection and the animal affected.
+The presence of hyphae on cytological examination suggests a severe infection and potential systemic spread, and therefore a '''poor''' prognosis. Without evidence of hyphae the prognosis is improved.
-<big><b>
-Also see:
-:[[Candidiasis - Birds|Candidiasis in Birds]]
-:[[Candidiasis – Rabbit|Candidiasis in Rabbits]]
-</b></big>
 ==References==
+Forbes NA & Altman RB (1998) '''Self-Assessment Colour Review Avian Medicine''' ''Manson Publishing Ltd''
-Merck & Co (2009) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Ninth Edition), ''Merial''
+Girling, S (2004) '''Diseases of the digestive tract of psittacine birds''' ''In Practice 2004 26: 146-15''
-{{review}}
-{{OpenPages}}
 [[Category:Cutaneous Mycoses]]
-[[Category:Expert Review]]
+[[Category:To Do - Fungi]]
+[[Category:To Do - Manson]]
+[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]

Difference between revisions of "Candidiasis"