Fungal infections of ventriculi in captive birds.

Ventricular candidiasis was the apparent cause of death in 14 of 21 captive birds, and incriminated in six others. No clinical signs were recognized in 14 of the 21 birds prior to death, and in four of the 21, no other gross or microscopic lesions were documented. Microscopic lesions included colonization of the koilin layer of the ventriculi by fungi with occasional penetration into the glandular epithelium. No conclusive pattern of infection by family of birds was detected.