Questions and Answers
What is the primary method of transmission for Coccidioidomycosis?
Which animal is least likely to show severe symptoms of Coccidioidomycosis?
What type of lesions are typically associated with Coccidioidomycosis?
Which clinical sign is commonly observed in dogs infected with Coccidioidomycosis?
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Coccidioidomycosis outbreaks are most likely to occur after which environmental condition?
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What factors can increase the risk of candidiasis infection?
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Which species is least frequently affected by candidiasis?
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What is a common clinical sign associated with candidiasis?
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Which diagnostic method is used to identify candidiasis?
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What treatment is typically used for superficial candidiasis infections?
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Study Notes
Candidiasis
- Caused by the yeast-like fungus Candida, predominantly Candida albicans.
- Acts as an opportunistic pathogen, normally found in the nasopharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and external genitalia of various species.
- Risk factors include mucosal disruption, presence of catheters, antibiotic use, and immunosuppression.
Species Affected
- Birds: Frequently affected, particularly involving oral mucosa, esophagus, and crop.
- Pigs and Foals: Experiencing superficial infections in intestinal mucous membranes.
- Cattle, Calves, and Sheep: Susceptible to systemic candidiasis, especially post prolonged antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy.
- Cats: Rarely affected but can have oral, respiratory, ocular, and urinary tract infections.
- Dogs: Rare instances of candidiasis; can lead to arthritis, mastitis, abortion, and severe cases of fungemia or peritonitis.
Clinical Signs
- Symptoms often nonspecific and linked to underlying conditions rather than candidiasis itself.
- Common signs include diarrhea, anorexia, dehydration, listlessness, and reduced growth.
Lesions
- Characterized by white, raised masses on skin and mucosae.
- Keratinous thickening of mucosa, notably in the tongue, esophagus, and rumen.
- In birds, lesions may appear as circular ulcers with pseudomembranes in the crop and esophagus.
Diagnosis
- Identification through scrapings or biopsy specimens, revealing C. albicans as ovoid, budding yeast cells or pseudohyphae in epithelial tissue.
Treatment
- Topical options include nystatin ointment, amphotericin B, and iodine solution.
- Systemic infections may necessitate intravenous amphotericin B or oral antifungals like fluconazole and itraconazole; treatment duration varies by severity and species.
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)
- A noncontagious fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis, prevalent in arid southwestern regions of the USA, Mexico, Central, and South America.
- Primarily transmitted via inhalation of fungal spores carried by dust; exacerbated by droughts and dust storms post-rainy seasons.
- Dogs are the most significantly impacted species.
Clinical Signs
- Symptoms vary widely; can be asymptomatic in species like cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, and cats, to severe, life-threatening cases particularly in dogs and nonhuman primates.
- Respiratory symptoms include chronic cough, anorexia, weight loss, lameness, enlarged joints, fever, and intermittent diarrhea in dogs.
- In cats, C. immitis may lead to skin lesions, subcutaneous granulomas, and abscesses, with respiratory and other systemic symptoms being less common.
Lesions
- Lesions can form in the lungs, mediastinum, and thoracic lymph nodes, or disseminate to other organs.
- Appear as discrete nodules with gray-white cut surfaces, resembling tuberculosis; pyogranulomas contain epithelioid and giant cells, possibly with purulent exudate and fungal organisms.
Diagnosis
- Consideration of coccidioidomycosis in animals with chronic bronchopulmonary disease, pulmonary nodules, or lymphadenopathy observed via thoracic radiographs is essential in endemic regions.
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Description
Test your knowledge about candidiasis, a disease caused by the Candida fungus, particularly Candida albicans. This quiz covers its prevalence in various animals, risk factors, and symptoms. Discover how this opportunistic fungus affects different species.
