Candidiasis: Introduction
(Thrush, Crop mycosis, Sour crop) |  |
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Candidiasis is a mycotic disease of the digestive tract of chickens and turkeys caused by
Candida
albicans
. Lesions are most frequently found in the crop and consist of thickened mucosa and whitish, raised pseudomembranes. The same lesions may be seen in the mouth and esophagus. Occasionally, shallow ulcers and sloughing of necrotic epithelium may be present. Listlessness and inappetence may be the only clinical signs. A presumptive diagnosis may be made on observation of gross lesions. This diagnosis can be confirmed by demonstrating tissue invasion histologically and by
culture of the organism. However, culture alone is not diagnostic of disease as the yeast-like fungus is commonly isolated from clinically normal birds. Young chicks and poults are most susceptible. Candidiasis is common after use of therapeutic levels of various antibiotics or unsanitary drinking facilities. |
| Improving sanitation and minimizing antibiotic use in poultry help reduce the incidence of candidiasis. Affected birds can be treated with copper sulfate at 0.5 mg/L of drinking water, or 0.5 mg copper sulfate per kg of feed. Vinegar is used as a treatment for candidiasis at 15 mL/L of drinking water. Chlorhexidine is used for prevention or treatment at 2.5 mL/L of drinking water. Chlorine bleach at 0.1 mL/L of drinking water may help control the infection. All of these treatments
lack FDA approval. |
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