Difference between revisions of "Candidiasis"

Revision as of 22:27, 18 August 2011

Introduction

Candida spp

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida spp., most commonly Candida ablicans that affects many species.

The yeast is normally present on skin and in the 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 rabbits, horses, pigs, cows, sheep, cats and dogs - in particular neonates.

Clinical Signs

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.

Gross clinical signs include:

Exudative, papular, pustular to ulcerative dermatitis
Raised, circular white plaques or ulcers with overlying scabs
Keratinous thickening of tissue
Stomatitis and otitis externa

Microscopically there is evidence of:

Spongiotic neutrophilic pustular inflammation
Parakeratosis
Ulcerations
Superficial exudate containing organisms

Infection may cause also cause a variety of other clinical signs depending on the species and the site of infection, for example mastitis, arthritis, 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.

Treatment

Topical or systemic anti-fungals are used to treat the infection.

Prognosis

Prognosis depends on both the severity of infection and the animal affected.

Also see:

Candidiasis in Birds

Candidiasis in Rabbits

References

Merck & Co (2009) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Ninth Edition), Merial

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Introduction=
+==Introduction==
-Candidiasis is a '''fungal infection''' caused by [[Candida spp.|''Candida'' spp.]], [[File:C albicans germ tubes.jpg|200px|right|thumb|''Candida'' spp]] most commonly '''''Candida ablicans''''' that affects many species.
+[[File:C albicans germ tubes.jpg|200px|right|thumb|''Candida'' spp]]
-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 but has also been reported in [[Candidiasis – Rabbit|rabbits]], horses, pigs, cows, sheep, cats and dogs - in particular neonates.
+Candidiasis is a '''fungal infection''' caused by [[Candida spp.|''Candida'' spp.]],  most commonly '''''Candida ablicans''''' that affects many species.
-==Clinical signs==
+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.
+==Clinical Signs==
 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'''.
@@ Line 18: / Line 20: @@
 *Superficial [[Exudate|'''exudate''']] containing organisms
-Infection may cause a 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.
+Infection may cause 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==
@@ Line 35: / Line 37: @@
 Prognosis depends on both the severity of infection and the animal affected.
+<big><b>
+Also see:
+:[[Candidiasis - Birds|Candidiasis in Birds]]
+:[[Candidiasis – Rabbit|Candidiasis in Rabbits]]
+</b></big>
-=Candidasis in birds=
+==References==
-[[Image:Sour Crop.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sour Crop - Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath]]
-==Signalment==
-Candidiasis ''aka'' '''thrush/sour crop/crop mycosis''' is common in '''neonatal psittacine birds'''. It occurs primarily as a result of '''immunosuppression''' and '''trauma''' to the ingluvies. Hypothermia, feeding too cold or too hot formula which results in crop-burn, poor nutrition, longterm antibiotic therapy, hypovitaminosis A and systemic illness from other causes are all predisposing causes.
-==Clinical Sings==
-The bird may present with '''inflammation''' and '''delayed emptying''' of the '''ingluvies'''. On examination of the crop surrounding structures, there are normally grey-white lesions and a whitish necrotic material present. There may also be thickening of the crop wall.
-==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 has '''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''' such as oral itraconazole (for 7 days) is recommended  along with a topical antifungal such as 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''
 Merck & Co (2009) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Ninth Edition), ''Merial''
-{{Learning|flashcards = [[Avian Medicine Q&A 16]]}}
+{{review}}
 [[Category:Cutaneous Mycoses]]
-[[Category:To Do - Fungi]]
+[[Category:Expert Review]]
-[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]
-[[Category:To Do - Manson review]]