Immunological and chemical characterization of glycoproteins in IEF fractions of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast lysate antigen

After isoelectric focusing (IEF), fractions of a Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast lysate antigen were analysed for the presence of glycoproteins that may lead to cross-reactivity in immunoassays for the diagnosis of blastomycosis. Five major glycoproteins were apparent, two of which showed cross-reactivity when used in Western blots with sera obtained from dogs with histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis. These five glycoproteins were characterized for linkage to the proteins using N-glycosidase F (NGF) and for their lectin binding properties. The cross-reactive 235- and 160-kDa glycoproteins were found to possess mainly O-linked, high-mannose-type carbohydrates, and periodate-mediated oxidation of these molecules eliminated cross-reactivity observed with heterologous sera. Thus, the periodate-treated IEF antigens described here may be useful in solid-phase enzyme immunoassays for the diagnosis of blastomycosis.

Primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis and subsequent drug eruption to itraconazole in a dog

Three weeks after traveling to Arizona, a 13-month-old, female Labrador retriever developed draining tracts in the right hind limb. Primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis was diagnosed. Initial treatment with itraconazole resulted in exacerbation of clinical signs. Histopathology was suggestive of a cutaneous drug eruption. Discontinuation of the itraconazole caused resolution of the drug eruption. Successful treatment of the fungal infection was achieved using ketoconazole.

Coccidioidomycosis in free-living California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in central California

Coccidioidomycosis is described in seven California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) admitted to The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, California (USA), between January 1986 and December 1994. Diagnoses were confirmed by histology in all seven cases, culture in three cases, and serology in one case. These are believed to be the first published cases of coccidioidomycosis in free-ranging California sea lions.

Deep mycotic infections in cats

A review of deep mycotic infections assessed incidence, signalment, clinical presentation, and outcome in 571 feline cases. Pertinent findings included a predisposition in young, male cats for Sporothrix schenckii and Blastomyces dermatitidis. There was an increased incidence of feline leukemia virus infection in cases with histoplasmosis and of feline panleukopenia virus infection in cases with either aspergillosis or mucoralosis. Few other predisposing conditions were identified. Cryptococcosis, coccidioidomycosis, and sporotrichosis had better prognoses for recovery. Blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis commonly were disseminated infections and were associated with guarded-to-poor prognoses.

Detection of antibodies and delayed hypersensitivity with Rotofor preparative IEF fractions of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast phase lysate antigen

Blastomyces dermatitidis (dog isolate T-58) yeast phase lysate antigen was concentrated and separated by Rotofor preparative isoelectric focusing cell (Bio-Rad). The pH values of the fractions were determined and equilibrated to pH 7.2 and then analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using horseradish peroxidase enzyme system against serum specimens from dogs with blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, and coccidioidomycosis. The results showed a peak absorbance at pH 3.89-4.31 (fractions 4 and 5) with the blastomycosis serum specimens. This was a single sharp peak while the rest of the fractions were lower. In contrast the sera from dogs with histoplasmosis showed a peak absorbance at pH 5.54-5.97 (fractions 9 and 10), while the other mycoses showed patterns that did not resemble the blastomycosis or histoplasmosis specimens. Serum specimens from dogs with blastomycosis being treated with itraconazole were also assayed (pre-treatment and 1, 2, 3, and 12 months post-treatment sera). The characteristic peak for blastomycosis was observed and a decrease in the peak was seen as the treatment progressed. Fractions 3-12 were also used to detect delayed dermal hypersensitivity in hyperimmunized hairless guinea-pigs. Fraction 5 (pH 4.31) elicited the optimal response in B. dermatitidis-immunized animals, while no cross-reactivity was observed in guinea-pigs sensitized with Histoplasma capsulatum killed cells.

Sensitivity and specificity of an isoelectric focusing fraction of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast lysate antigen for the detection of canine blastomycosis

Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast lysate antigen (T-58, dog isolate) fractions prepared using the Rotofor preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF) cell (Bio-Rad) were compared with B. dermatitidis yeast lysate and filtrate reagents with respect to the detection of antibodies in sera from dogs with blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis and aspergillosis. A horseradish peroxidase enzyme immunoassay with Turbo TMB substrate was used in the study. One particular IEF fraction (pH 4.3) was optimal in the assay, and it exhibited greater sensitivity (100%) and specificity (93%) than the lysate or filtrate preparations. The highest degree of cross-reactivity was encountered with the histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis specimens and considerably less with the cryptococcosis and aspergillosis sera. Studies are in progress to purify further the optimal IEF fraction.

Coccidioidomycosis in 48 cats: a retrospective study (1984-1993)

Coccidioidomycosis was diagnosed in 48 cats. Forty-one cases were identified within a period of 3 years. Coccidioides immitis was revealed by cytological or histopathological examinations, or culture in 70% of cats. The remaining 30% of cases were diagnosed by appropriate clinical signs, radiographic lesions, and serological test results. The average age of affected cats was 6.2 years with a median age of 5.0 years. Fifty-four percent (n = 26) were female and 46% (n = 22) were male. Domestic shorthaired and longhaired breeds comprised 89% (n = 41) of affected cats. Sixty-seven percent of cases were diagnosed during the 6-month period of December through May. Cats infected with C immitis were presented for evaluation of dermatologic (56%), respiratory (25%), musculoskeletal (19%), and neurological or ophthalmologic signs (19%). Fever, inappetence, and weight loss were present in 44% of the cats. Duration of clinical signs before diagnosis was less than 4 weeks in 85% (n = 42) of cats, with an average of 3.8 weeks and a median of 2 weeks. Agar gel immunodiffusion tests were positive in all 39 cats tested at sometime during the course of their disease. Hyperproteinemia (greater than 7.9 g/dL) was present in 52% (10/23) of cases. The majority of cats (n = 39) were negative for feline leukemia virus. Antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus were absent in the 19 cats tested. Ketoconazole was the most common antifungal agent used to treat cats with coccidioidomycosis. Duration of treatment ranged from less than 1 week to 43 months. Thirty-two cats are currently asymptomatic, with or without treatment. Eleven cats died or were euthanized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coccidioidomycosis in llamas in the United States: 19 cases (1981-1989)

Coccidioidomycosis was diagnosed in 19 llamas (California, 9; Arizona, 10). All but 1 had a disseminated form, with pyogranulomas principally in the lungs, thoracic lymph nodes, liver, and kidneys. However, lesions were found in tissue specimens from most organ systems. Antemortem diagnosis was based on radiographic evaluation of the lungs, serologic testing, or presence of spherules of Coccidioides immitis in pyogranuloma aspirates, skin scrapings, or biopsy specimens. Animals residing in endemic areas of southwestern United States are at risk, and llamas appear to be highly susceptible to developing disseminated forms of coccidioidomycosis.

Treatment of coccidioidomycosis osteomyelitis with itraconazole in a horse. A brief report

Itraconazole, a tricyclic azole effective against a number of deep mycotic diseases, was used to treat a Quarter Horse filly with coccidioidomycosis. The horse was almost normal after 90 days of treatment. Five months after discontinuing itraconazole treatment, the filly had severe neck pain and neurologic signs from recurrence of coccidioidomycosis and was treated with itraconazole for an additional 6 months. Her clinical condition improved to almost normal and the filly has remained normal for 2 years. There was no evidence of drug toxicity.

Coccidioidomycosis in horses: 15 cases (1975-1984)

Fifteen confirmed cases of equine coccidioidomycosis that originated in California and Arizona were studied retrospectively. Age, breed, and sex varied among affected horses. The most common historical problems were chronic weight loss (53% of cases) and persistent cough (33% of cases). The most frequent physical examination abnormalities were related to the respiratory tract (60% of cases). In 27% of cases, horses had signs of musculoskeletal pain. Horses consistently had hyperproteinemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia. An antemortem etiologic diagnosis was made for 11 (73%) horses, all of which had positive serologic tests for coccidioidomycosis. Of the seropositive horses, 5 (46%) also had positive cultures for Coccidioides immitis. One horse died naturally. The other 14 were euthanatized. Prolonged treatment with specific antifungal agents was attempted in 4 horses without apparent benefit. Postmortem abnormalities included pulmonary parenchymal lesions (64% of cases), thoracic lymphadenopathy (57% of cases), hepatic parenchymal involvement (43% of cases), and osteomyelitis (29% of cases). The lesions were granulomatous or pyogranulomatous and C immitis was observed microscopically in 83% of cases.

Acquisition of coccidioidomycosis at necropsy by inhalation of coccidioidal endospores

Coccidioidomycosis is accepted as being noncontagious because the infectious arthroconidial form of Coccidioides immitis is not produced in humans and other mammalian hosts. However, disseminated coccidioidomycosis developed in a veterinarian who autopsied a horse with disseminated disease but without draining lesions or productive cough. We postulate transmission occurred by inhalation of tissue-phase endospores aerosolized in the course of dissection.

Review of human and animal cases of coccidioidomycosis diagnosed in Canada

The first Canadian case of coccidioidomycosis in a human was reported in 1952 and 11 more cases since then. This study provides details of other cases of coccidioidomycosis that have been diagnosed in Canada. Based on clinical details, isolation of Coccidioides immitis, detection of a specific antibody (F band) for coccidioidomycosis by macro- or microimmunodiffusion tests, concurrently used with the complement fixation procedure, and histopathological findings, 116 more cases of this disease were verified. The great majority (94%) of these cases were diagnosed in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the others in Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia (5, 1, and 1 cases, respectively). Available information indicates that the C. immitis infections were contracted during visits to endemic areas in the United States (Arizona, California and New Mexico), Mexico, and Bolivia. Pulmonary infections were the most common type of coccidioidomycosis (93%) followed by the disseminated or meningeal types C. immitis infections occurred in individuals with or without predisposing factor(s) and were more common in males than in females. The exoantigen procedure was very useful and reliable in the accurate and rapid identification of suspected C. immitis isolates. Two cases of coccidioidomycosis were reported in animals in Ontario, Canada.

Cytologic analysis of tracheal wash specimens and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the diagnosis of mycotic infections in dogs

Tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analyses were performed in 9 dogs that had mycotic infections with pulmonary involvement. Characteristic organisms were identified in tracheal wash fluid in 3 of 7 dogs with blastomycosis. Organisms were identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 5 of 7 dogs with blastomycosis and in one dog with histoplasmosis. Organisms were not found in either fluid in one dog with coccidioidomycosis. These procedures should be considered for dogs with suspected mycotic infections that involve the lungs and that cannot be diagnosed by less invasive means.

Fluconazole therapy for coccidioidomycosis in Japanese macaques

The South Texas Primate Observatory is the home of more than 200 Japanese snow macaque monkeys and of a small number of vervets. The colony was established to study social behavior in monkey families; consequently, animals range freely over more than 59 acres. During the past 6 years, there have been six documented cases of coccidioidomycosis. In addition, there have been six probable cases and five possible cases. Disease was progressive in all monkeys and was characterized by cough, wasting, and the appearance of draining cutaneous abscesses. Untreated, monkeys usually died within several months. Fourteen monkeys were treated with oral fluconazole; eight improved rapidly, and the others had no response. Four of the monkeys that improved relapsed quickly after fluconazole treatment was interrupted. Two monkeys showed initial improvement, relapsed when fluconazole treatment was interrupted, and again improved when fluconazole treatment was resumed. The present studies suggest that fluconazole may be effective treatment in primates with coccidioidomycosis and that euthanasia is no longer necessary. However, prolonged treatment is necessary, and relapses may occur.

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in a horse with osteomyelitis

Coccidioidal osteomyelitis was diagnosed in a horse after a 6-month period of coughing, weight loss, and lameness. The horse was euthanatized and the diagnosis was confirmed by gross and microscopic findings.

[Coccidioidomycosis in children]

Coccidioides immitis is the cause of coccidioidomycosis, the fungus has been found extensively in the Southwestern United States, and Mexico, and certain areas of Central and South America. Some climatic conditions, such as hot summers with little winter frost, combined with arid, alkaline soils produce ideal circumstances for preservation of the arthroconidia. Children and other human groups are infected by dustbone arthroconidia or by contact with infected soils. There has been limited epidemics of infantile coccidioidomycosis, however, only very few have been verified as to the source of the outbreak by the soil-culture of the fungus. The primary pulmonary infection is usually asymptomatic, but it may resemble influenza with cough, fever, and chest pain. Chronic pulmonary lesions are rare in children. Erythema multiforme an erythema nodosum have been described, namely in females. Arthralgias occurs in some patients. The disseminated form is similar to tuberculosis with lungs, lymph nodes, bones, joints, abdominal organs and skin being the frequently affected sites. Meningitis and limited dissemination to one of few sites is more common in mexican children than adults. Serologic tests are very useful in moderate to severe illnesses. Precipitins can be easily detected by immunodifusion. Higher and persistent complement fixation titers are observed in severe and disseminated infection. Conversion of a skin test with coccidioidin or spherulin from negative to positive strongly suggest coccidioidomycosis. Most cases do not require treatment, but amphotericin B or ketoconazol, are the standard therapy in severe pulmonary disease or disseminated forms, and surgery has been advocated for localized, persistent or drug-resistant, progressive lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Serological survey for selected diseases in the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

Blood from endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) inhabiting the Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve, Kern County, and the Elkhorn Plain, San Luis Obispo County, California, was collected in 1981, 1982 and 1984 and sera were tested for antibodies against 10 selected pathogens. Proportions of kit fox sera containing antibodies against pathogens were: canine parvovirus, 100% in 1981-1982 and 67% in 1984; infectious canine hepatitis virus, 6% in 1981-1982 and 21% in 1984; canine distemper virus, none in 1981-1982 and 14% in 1984; Francisella tularensis, 8% in 1981-1982 and 31% in 1984; Brucella abortus, 8% in 1981-1982 and 3% in 1984; Brucella canis, 14% in 1981-1982 and none in 1984; Toxoplasma gondii, 6% in 1981-1982; Coccidioides immitis, 3% in 1981-1982; and Yersinia pestis and Leptospira interrogans serotypes canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona, none in 1981-1982. Although antibodies against selected pathogens were present, no clinical indications of disease were observed in these fox populations.

Coccidioidomycosis in a Sonoran gopher snake, Pituophis melanoleucus affinis

Coccidioides immitis was isolated from lesions in the lung of a Sonoran Gopher snake, Pituophis melanoleucus affinis. A lactophenol cotton blue mount of a fungal colony grown on Sabouraud's agar revealed coarse, branching, septate hyphae with alternating thick-walled arthroconidia. Histologically, the lung lesions contained spherical, non-budding, double-walled spherules in various stages of maturity. Some spherules contained endospores. Spherules were also present in granulomas associated with the thyroid and pancreas. A diagnosis was made of disseminated coccidioidomycosis, a condition not previously reported in a reptile.

Ocular lesions associated with coccidioidomycosis in dogs: 35 cases (1980-1985)

Thirty-five dogs with ocular lesions associated with coccidioidomycosis were examined. Serologic and/or histologic evaluation confirmed the diagnoses of coccidioidomycosis. The disease most frequently associated with signs referable to the anterior segment of the eye, such as iritis and granulomatous uveitis. Histologic evaluation of the eye revealed a primary posterior segment disease, such as chorioretinitis or retinal separation, with an extension into the anterior segment of the eye.