Coinfection with Candida tropicalis and Cytomegalovirus in a Piglet

Abstract

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis caused by Candida tropicalis was identified in a 43-day-old female piglet with lesions on body surfaces (face, abdomen, limbs, and hooves) and mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity and stomach (nonglandular region). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) inclusion bodies were observed in the epidermis, apocrine sweat gland, rostral plate eccrine gland, buccal gland, duodenal gland, and renal distal tubule. In addition, adenovirus-like inclusion bodies, Cryptosporidium and Brachyspira were detected in the intestine. The presence of these opportunistic pathogens on or in the skin and oral–gastrointestinal mucosa implies that the piglet had immunological defects, especially in mucocutaneous barriers. Thus, CMV may have facilitated the activity of C. tropicalis and may have contributed to the persistence of candidiasis.