Candidiasis in young hand-reared kangaroos.

Necropsies conducted on four young eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) revealed white encrustations adherent to the mucosa of the lips, gums, tongue and oesophagus. The non-glandular stomach was impacted with similar white curd-like material, much of which was ahderent to the mucosa. Histopathology revealed fungal mycelia and blastospores invading the stratified squamous epithelium resulting in focal erosion, ulceration and venous thrombosis. A predominantly neutrophilic leucocytic infiltration was produced in intra-epithelial and submucosal tissues. Candida albicans was isolated from the upper alimentary tract lesions of all cases. Failure to thrive on milk diets, prolonged episodes of diarrhoea and antibiotic therapy during hand-rearing were considered to be significant predisposing factors to infection.