INVESTIGATION OF CANDIDA SPECIES IN FECAL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM CAGE BIRDS

The goal of this study was to isolate and identify of Candida spp. comparatively by different isolation and identification methods and to determine the predominant species in cage birds of Istanbul. For this purpose, fresh stool samples of cage birds, raised in various pet shops and houses, were collected from the bottom of the cages with sterile swabs, and transported to the laboratory in cold chain. Samples were cultured onto Sabouraud Glucose Agar with chloramphenicol, Sabouraud Dextrose Agar with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol, and Chromogenic Candida Agar media. API 20 C AUX system, carbonhydrate fermentation tests, urease, nitrate reduction and citrate utilization tests were used for identification of pure cultures of suspected colonies of Candida. Yeasts were isolated from 13 (13.4%) of 97 cage bird stool samples. Nine (69.23%) of the isolates were identified as Candida spp.; Four of them were identified as Candida albicans while five of them were Candida famata.