Cutaneous candidiasis in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Cutaneous candidiasis involving the foot pads of 5–30 weeks old Japanese quails was recorded in a large quail breeding unit. Histopathological lesions comprising granulomatous reaction in the dermis and hyperkeratosis resembled with those of candida granuloma of human beings. The causative fungus, isolated from the foot pad lesions on Sabouraud agar, was identified as Candida albicans on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Predisposing factors such as overcrowding and un-sanitary conditions were found to be apparently responsible for candidiasis in quails. These factors when taken care of resulted in a marked decrease in the disease incidence. This appears to be the first report of cutaneous candidiasis in avian species.