BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptides with relative length (2-100 amino acids) and positive charge (pure charge (+9)-(+2)) are amphiphilic that isolated from a wide range of animals. Recently, these peptides have been known as a part of innate immune response. Nowadays, more than 500 antimicrobial peptides from animals have been reported. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin. Methods: In this study, using alcohol-acid technique, peptides of frog’s skin were isolated and purified by Sep-Pack and Sephadex column. Then the anti-Candida activity (Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans, Fluconazole Sensitive C. albicans, and C. glabrata) of the peptides in different concentrations were evaluated. Results: Regarding to statistical analysis, peptides in concentration ranging from 25 to 100 µg/ml had the most anti-Candida activities. In respect to different understudy Candida species, these agents had the less effect on the Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans (p<0.05). Conclusions: The anti-Candida effects of cationic peptide obtained from frog skin are approved in this study.

An 8-year-old castrated male Shih Tzu dog (weighing 7.0 kg) presented with anemia and lethargy. Initial diagnosis indicated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. During therapy, a secondary urinary infection, probably due to the immune suppressive therapy, was diagnosed. Subsequent diagnostic tests, including urinalysis and urine culture, indicated candidal cystitis. Despite ketoconazole therapy for candidal cystitis, the dog died suddenly. A Candida albicans infection was confirmed upon postmortem evaluation. Prolonged immunosuppressive therapy might be the cause of this infection. This is the first case report describing a Candida albicans urinary tract infection accompanied by hemolytic anemia in a dog in Korea.

Candidiasis is a mycosis caused by the mycelial yeast of the Candida genus which is opportunistic pathogen of humans, animals, and birds. Under some conditions such as prolonged antibiotic therapy, overcrowding, and immunosuppression, the opportunistic Candida can cause disease. Chicken candidiasis is sporadically occurred and characterized by unsatisfactory growth, listlessness, roughness of feathers, and death. A case of 23 weeks old layer with history of increased mortality and anemia was submitted to our Lab. At necropsy, the characteristic lesions were observed in the crop and proventriculus. The whitish pseudomembrane, that are peeled easily, was found in the crop. Proventriculus was swollen and the mucosa was covered with hemorrhagic exudate. The histological changes of the affected crop are epithelial hyperplasia, hydropic degeneration, and mycelia formation. Smears made from the necrotic mucosal surfaces of the crop revealed the presence of large number of yeast cells and mycelia. Pure cultures of yeast colonies were obtained from the potato dextrose agar. The yeast cells were identified as Candida albicans by gene sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of candidiasis in chickens with anemia in Korea.

Objective: To develop a broad-range 28S ribosomal DNA quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detection of fungal DNA in equine endometrial samples. Sample: 12 fungal samples from a clinical diagnostic laboratory and 29 samples obtained from 17 mares. Procedures: The qPCR assay was optimized with commercially acquired fungal organisms and validated with samples obtained from the clinical diagnostic laboratory. Subsequently, 29 samples from 17 mares suspected of having fungal endometritis were evaluated via the qPCR assay and via traditional fungal culture and endometrial cytology. Amplicons from the qPCR assay were subjected to genetic sequencing to identify the organisms. Results: The qPCR assay theoretically had a detection threshold of 2 organisms of Candida albicans. Fungal DNA was amplified from all 12 fungal samples from the commercial diagnostic laboratory. Fungal identification by use of genetic sequencing was successful for 34 of 36 amplicons from the 12 samples assayed. A fungal agent was identified via qPCR assay and genetic sequencing in all 12 samples; in contrast, a fungal agent was identified in only 8 of 12 samples via standard fungal culture and biochemical analysis. The qPCR assay detected fungal DNA in samples from 12 of 17 mares suspected of having fungal endometritis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: A rapid, sensitive, and repeatable qPCR assay was developed for detection of fungal DNA from equine endometrial samples. The qPCR may prove to be clinically useful as an adjunct to microbial culture and cytologic examination to provide identification of fungal organisms in a timely manner.