Rhinitis and sinusitis caused by Candida sp. in Sporophila angolensis: Case report

Abstract

Brazil has a wide variety of bird species and among these, Sporophila angolensis, a bird present in the passerine group, stands out. This bird is among the most bred species in captivity and consequently can be affected by agents, such as Candida sp., a fungus commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of birds. However, the occurrence of this yeast is rare in other systems. Thus, the aim of this study is to report the presence of Candida sp. associated with a clinical picture of rhinitis and sinusitis in a chestnut-bellied seed-finch, which presented alterations in the ocular region, generalized dryness of the beak, unilateral eyelid protrusion, respiratory alterations and yellowish urate. The diagnosis was obtained from the fungal and bacterial culture that found the presence of Staphylococcus spp. and Candida sp. This animal improved only with palliative treatment, with only one eye injury that culminated in unilateral blindness. It is concluded that respiratory problems caused by Candida sp. in birds are rare. Therefore, knowledge about the agents that affect wild birds is essential to generate sanitary data and contribute to the conservation of these species, since few pathogens are elucidated in the literature.