The primary agent of candidiasis is C. albicans, although other Candida species have been isolated from both healthy and diseased birds. In a mycological survey of crops from broilers, C. 11/birans comprised 95% of isolates.
Candidiasis is an opportunistic endogenous niycosis that results from a disturbance of the microflora or other debilitation of the host, rather than exposure to an external source.