Prevention of Avian Crop Candidiasis by dietary Supplementation of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Abstract

Candidiasis is a fungal disease of many avian species caused by the polymorphic yeast Candida albicans. These yeasts are normal flora in the upper digestive system of birds, they cause disease when the bird suffers from debilitating conditions. The yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae that is commonly used for baking and brewing has been used as an alternative for antibiotics and as a growth promoter in poultry and has been proved successful in treating oral and vaginal candidiasis in human. Our study was conducted as an attempt to find an alternative method for treating candidiasis in avian hosts using the readily available yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. A number of 80 broilers were divided into 4 groups. Group 2 was fed a ration contained Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. Group 3 was challenged with oral Candida albicans. Group 4 treated with both organisms while group 1 was considered control and did not receive any treatment. The experiment started at one day old and continued for 9 days. Crops were examined grossly and histologically at the end of experiment. Crops appeared normal in both group 1 and 2, while in group 3 they were thickened with diphtheritic pseudomembrane grossly and fungal hyphae, pseudohyphae and spores proliferated within squamous epithelia and lamia propria histologically. In group 4 they showed markedly less macro and microscopic changes. This treatment was found effective in controlling crop candidiasis in birds.