Chronic cutaneous candidiasis in bottle-nosed dolphins

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Marine Mammal Health
• Dermatology

Background:

• Generalized chronic cutaneous candidiasis is a fungal infection that can affect marine mammals.
• Bottle-nosed dolphins in captive environments may be susceptible to opportunistic infections like candidiasis.
• Esophagogastric ulcerations have been observed in some cases of candidiasis in dolphins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a case of generalized chronic cutaneous candidiasis in three bottle-nosed dolphins.
• To determine the efficacy of antifungal and immunopotentiating treatments for cutaneous candidiasis in dolphins.

Main Methods:

• Observation of clinical signs and post-mortem examination of three dolphins with generalized chronic cutaneous candidiasis.
• Isolation and identification of causative organisms from skin lesions.
• Evaluation of treatment responses to antifungal drugs and levamisole phosphate.

Main Results:

• Candida albicans was identified as the causative agent in skin lesions of three dolphins.
• Two dolphins with extensive esophagogastric ulcerations died.
• Antifungal drug treatment was ineffective, but levamisole phosphate resulted in granulation tissue formation and healing of skin lesions.

Conclusions:

• Generalized chronic cutaneous candidiasis can be a severe condition in dolphins, potentially leading to fatal esophagogastric ulcerations.
• Standard antifungal treatments may be insufficient for severe cutaneous candidiasis in dolphins.
• Immunopotentiation with levamisole phosphate shows promise for treating chronic cutaneous candidiasis in dolphins.