Birds, Bugs, and Antibiotics: Unmasking *Candida tropicalis* in Feathered Friends Near Farms & Livestock - What Pet Owners and Vets Should Know MiDOG Animal Diagnostics

December 9, 2024

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in both human and veterinary medicine, but did you know that birds living near livestock may also be at risk? One of the lesser-known culprits is Candida tropicalis, a yeast species that can reside in the oral microbiome of birds. These birds, especially those exposed to environments where antibiotics are used frequently, such as near livestock farms, may develop antibiotic-resistant infections. This poses a health risk not just to the birds but to the broader ecosystem.

In this post, we’ll explore the science behind Candida tropicalis, why birds living near livestock may be especially susceptible, and how advanced diagnostic tools like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) can help veterinarians and pet owners stay ahead of this emerging threat.

**What is Candida tropicalis?**

Candida tropicalis is a type of yeast commonly found in the gastrointestinal and oral microbiome of birds, mammals, and even humans. In normal conditions, it exists harmlessly as part of the natural microbial balance. However, under stress or immunosuppression—conditions that could be exacerbated by antibiotics— Candida tropicalis can overgrow and cause infections, known as candidiasis. In birds, candidiasis can lead to oral lesions, respiratory issues, and in severe cases, systemic infections.

The Role of Antibiotics in Candida Overgrowth

Birds living near livestock often come into contact with antibiotic residues present in their environment. Livestock are commonly treated with antibiotics to prevent and manage infections, but this widespread use can lead to unintended consequences for nearby wildlife. Birds that drink from contaminated water sources or eat from areas where livestock are treated may be exposed to low levels of antibiotics over time.

This exposure can disrupt their microbiome, leading to an imbalance where resistant organisms, like Candida tropicalis, can thrive. Even worse, these yeasts may develop antibiotic resistance, making infections more difficult to treat.

**Why Candida tropicalis in Birds is a Growing Concern**

The rise of antibiotic-resistant Candida strains is already well-documented in humans, but it’s now being observed in wildlife, particularly birds exposed to agricultural environments. Birds with oral candidiasis may show symptoms like difficulty swallowing, changes in vocalization, or a decrease in appetite. In severe cases, the infection can spread to other organs, leading to life-threatening complications.

For pet birds, especially those that may spend time outdoors or near farm animals, the risk is real. Candida tropicalis may not only affect their health but could also spread to other animals and even humans.

How to Test for Candida tropicalis

Detecting Candida tropicalis early is crucial for preventing its spread and managing antibiotic resistance. Traditional diagnostic methods include:

Culture Testing: A veterinarian can take a sample from the bird’s mouth and attempt to grow the yeast in a lab. While effective, this method can be slow and may miss subtle infections.
PCR testing: A molecular technique that detects specific DNA sequences, PCR is faster but still limited to the pathogens it is designed to detect.

Why Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is the Gold Standard

For birds exposed to environments where antibiotic resistance is a concern, the most advanced and effective method of testing is Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Unlike traditional culture or PCR methods, NGS can analyze the entire microbiome, providing a detailed snapshot of all microorganisms present, including rare or resistant strains like Candida tropicalis.

Here’s why NGS is the preferred method:

Comprehensive Profiling: NGS can identify not only Candida tropicalis but also any other microbes present, helping to paint a complete picture of the bird’s oral microbiome.
Antibiotic Resistance Detection: NGS can detect genes that confer antibiotic resistance, alerting veterinarians to the potential for difficult-to-treat infections.
Fast and Precise: NGS provides results quickly, allowing for timely intervention before the infection becomes serious.

Veterinarians working with pet birds, particularly those who may be exposed to livestock environments, should consider incorporating NGS into their diagnostic toolkit. It’s especially important for birds showing signs of oral candidiasis or those with a history of antibiotic exposure. Fortunately, MiDOG Animal Diagnostics NGS testing kits provide this NGS testing!

How Can You Protect Your Birds?

If you are a bird owner living near livestock, it’s important to take steps to minimize your bird’s exposure to antibiotics and potential pathogens. Here are a few tips:

Limit Access to Farm Areas: If possible, keep your birds away from areas where livestock are treated with antibiotics.
Provide Clean Drinking Water: Ensure your bird has access to clean, uncontaminated water.
Regular Veterinary Checkups: Birds exposed to livestock environments should have regular checkups, including oral swabs or NGS testing to monitor for potential infections.
Healthy Diet and Environment: A strong immune system is key to fighting off infections. Ensure your bird is receiving a well-balanced diet and living in a low-stress environment.

Conclusion: Early Detection is Key

The risk of Candida tropicalis in birds exposed to livestock environments is a real and growing concern, especially given the possibility of developing antibiotic resistance. Regular testing, especially with advanced techniques like NGS, can help veterinarians and pet owners detect infections early and manage them effectively. By staying informed and vigilant, you can help protect your feathered friends from this hidden threat while ensuring they remain happy and healthy for years to come.

References:

Lima, R., Ribeiro, F. C., Colombo, A. L., & de Almeida Jr, J. N. (2022). The emerging threat antifungal-resistant Candida tropicalis in humans, animals, and environment. Frontiers in Fungal Biology, 3, 957021.
Pitarch, A., Gil, C., & Blanco, G. (2017). Oral mycoses in avian scavengers exposed to antibiotics from livestock farming. Science of the Total Environment, 605, 139-146.
Cordeiro, R. D. A., Oliveira, J. S. D., Castelo-Branco, D. D. S. C. M., Teixeira, C. E. C., Marques, F. J. D. F., Bittencourt, P. V., … & Rocha, M. F. G. (2014). Candida tropicalis isolates obtained from veterinary sources show resistance to azoles and produce virulence factors. Sabouraudia, 53(2), 145-152.

Categories: Antibiotic Resistance, Birds/Parrots, Next-Gen DNA Sequencing Technology

Validated by Veterinarians

“Clients expect their veterinarians to stay up to date on all matters that affect the health and well being of their non-human family members. The current technique that we have used to determine the presence and antibiotic sensitivity of organisms causing disease in our pets is over a century old.

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Bernadine Cruz, DVM, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital Laguna Woods, CA

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Michael Morgan, DVMQuail Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“The MiDOG All-in-One Test is amazing, I would use it instead of culture and sensitivity. Such rapid and detailed results, I will reach for MiDOG before culture next time!

Thank you very much MiDOG, for sharing the opportunity to try your technology.”

Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, President of Forensic Veterinary Investigations, LLC – Boston, MA

“The MiDOG All-in-One Microbial Test is our new gold standard of pathogen identification. The results are so accurate and valuable – especially with assessing both bacterial and fungal infections with the same sample.

Thank you MiDOG!”

Kathy Wentworth, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine and Feline Practice – PetPoint Medical Center, Irvine, CA

“The MiDOG staff was extremely helpful and supportive.”

Cathy Curtis, DVM – London, UK

“I have had great results using the MiDOG® Test. Compared to traditional culture tests, I am better able to target the treatment for dogs because the MiDOG® Test is so sensitive that it identifies all pathogens including bacteria and fungi, as well as antibiotic sensitivity.

The cost and turnaround time are about the same as a culture test, but I get much more data. The test has great performance and I believe the NGS technology will be a game changer for veterinarians treating dogs with lesions or other infections.”

Michael Kavanagh, DVM, Practice owner – Saddleback Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“It’s helpful to have an NGS spectrum because it gives you a broader insight of what’s happening and what might be going on.”

Richard Harvey BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS – European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology – Head of Dermatology, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service – Solihull, England UK

“I have been using MiDog for over 4 years now and exclusively as my test of choice for all cultures for 3 years. It is so great to submit a culture and feel confident there will be a result when it comes back, especially for urine cultures. The reports were intimidating at first because they contain so much information. After the first few, I am now quickly able to glance over it and pick out the highlights. I can then come back later and pour over all the details. I have been extremely pleased with my patients’ results using the test as well. I don’t envision ever going back to traditional culture and susceptibilities again.”

Brian M. Urmson, DVM, Columbiana Veterinary Associates

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Dr. Melissa Giese, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital

“MiDOG’s diagnostic approach offers the unique ability to identify pathogens that evade traditional culture and sensitivity testing. I have found that adding a molecular based testing approach in the form of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) from MiDOG to my routine diagnostic cultures can be extremely helpful in the identification and diagnosis of uncommon pathogens in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, Animal Dermatology Clinic – Tustin

“She [Dr. Krumbeck] really did a great job of making complicated concepts accessible and demonstrating the value of your services. I’m really looking forward to working with MiDOG on my research project!”

Dr. Yaicha Peters, Animal Dermatology Clinic – San Diego

“As a proud collaborator with MiDOG, I deeply appreciate their dedication to fostering partnerships between industry and veterinary experts. Their commitment to enhancing diagnostic quality for veterinarians is commendable. In my experience, their support has been invaluable, earning them a ‘Double A+, Triple Star’ rating. Their assistance has been faultless, contributing significantly to the success of my projects and studies. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration.”

Dr. Richard Harvey, BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS; European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

“We’re seeing that, if we prescribe too many antibiotics or they’re taken too frequently, animals are developing inappropriate or pathogenic strains of bacteria. We’re also seeing that our antibiotics are just not working against them anymore… It’s a good example of why we need better diagnostic testing, like MiDOG, so that we’re selecting the correct antibiotic every time our patients have an infection.”

Dr. Alissa Rexo, DVM, CVA, DACVD, Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Dermatology

“The NGS technique as offered by MiDOG is wonderful because pathogens like Melissococcus plutonius, for example, are difficult to grow and keep alive in the laboratory. A standard laboratory cannot truly examine or even properly diagnose this pathogen in bee hives at this time. But with NGS, we can reliably diagnose it.”

Dr. Joerg Mayer, Entomologist and Microbiologist at the University of Georgia

“For me, as a clinician and as a researcher, I see the immense value in the product [the All-in-One Test]. I have had great success using MiDOG clinically, including identifying Mycoplasma in a 24 year old pigeon, a Nannizziopsis spp in a ball python from a large pet distributor, Mycoplasma and Fusobacterium necrophorum co-infection in a peacock, and to identify an abnormal gut GI in a technician’s dog that tested negative for everything else (but we were able to establish what was abnormal, and work toward fixing it).”

Dr. Jeremy Rayl – Veterinarian, Block House Creek Animal Hospital, Cedar Park, Texas

“With MiDog results I not only receive a list of organisms detected in the sample, but also cell counts which allow me to target the most abundant pathogens or the most pathogenic. The identification of antimicrobial resistance genes is also helpful in selecting an appropriate antibiotic. Another benefit is that sample handling is less prone to risk of overgrowth and is stable at room temperature. Easy and informative. A great tool in our diagnostic toolbox!!”

Lauren Palmer DVM, MPH, Marine mammal Care Center Los Angeles