[Candida infections in farm animals and birds]

Studied were swab samples taken from the oral cavity, the nostrils, and the rectum, resp., the cloaca of a total of 2315 calves, pigs, chickens, poulets, and turkey-poults to demonstrate the presence of fungi of the genus Candida. The material was taken from healthy animals and birds as well as from such that had digestive troubles, bronchitis, and bronchopneumontia. Isolated were the species; C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. albicans, C. pelliculosa, C. gulliermondii, and C. utilis. The various species were differentiated on the basis of their morphologic and cultural characteristics and their biochemical behaviour. It was established that C. albicans only manifested pathogenic properties. It was experimentally demonstrated that the appearance of a Candida infection was facilitated by the simultaneous application of a fungus culture and antibiotics of a broad spectrum. Histopathologic investigations were carried out of experimentally infected and spontaneously affected birds.