Erythema multiforme in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A retrospective study of the range of cutaneous clinical and histological features of erythema multiforme in five ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

BACKGROUND

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an uncommon cutaneous reaction pattern characterised by panepidermal keratinocyte apoptosis with lymphocytic satellitosis, and is reported in domestic animal species, livestock and rarely ferrets.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyse the spectrum of cutaneous clinical and histological features in ferrets with EM and to evaluate history and treatment outcomes.

ANIMALS

Five client-owned ferrets with biopsy-confirmed EM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of electronic medical records and histopathological reports from 2002 to 2021. Tissue blocks, haematoxylin and eosin re-cuts, and unstained slides were collected to review EM lesions and evaluate for infectious agents with special stains. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess cases for viral pathogens.

RESULTS

Panepidermal cytotoxic dermatitis consistent with EM was identified in all cases and involved haired skin in four of five and mucous membranes in one of five ferrets. Skin lesions included variably pruritic alopecia, erythema, scaling, crusts and erosions/ulcerations. Histological features included primarily parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, panepidermal keratinocyte apoptosis, lymphocytic satellitosis and interface dermatitis. Superficial colonisation by bacteria, yeasts or by both was a common finding. Four of five ferrets had concurrent adrenal disease, one of which had resolution of skin lesions with deslorelin acetate treatment.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Awareness of the distinct clinical and histological features is key to the diagnosis of EM in ferrets. Clinical resolution was observed with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in two cases, suggesting that adrenal disease should be ruled out as a potential trigger of EM in ferrets.

Erythema multiforme in a Central American tapir (Tapirus bairdii) calf, clinical case report

A 7-month-old male Central American tapir with a history of recurrent respiratory diseases and repeated prolonged administration of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid presented with lethargy, severe hyperalgesia, and interscapular ulcerating vesicular lesions with serosanguineous content, as well as dorsal skin peeling, oral ulcers, and thoracic limb, abdominal, and submandibular pustules with surrounding erythema and alopecia. The histopathological analysis and clinical manifestations were compatible with erythema multiforme, which was treated with daily wound cleaning and silver sulfadiazine cream application, as well as oral prednisolone for 15 days, with five daily tapering doses, achieving clinical improvement and an adequate cure of the disease. Vesicular dermatitis syndrome of tapirs is a disease complex including erythema multiforme, a condition rarely diagnosed, since the analyses required for a definitive diagnosis are almost never performed; therefore, it is important to carry out the necessary tests that allow the differentiation of the dermatopathies included in this complex of vesicular skin diseases.

Ferret Dermatology

Skin diseases commonly affect pet ferrets, with neoplastic, endocrine, and parasitic diseases being the most common. This review includes clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment of diseases with a dermatologic presentation in ferrets.

Problem-Oriented Approach in Exotic Companion Mammals

Dermatologic disorders are some of the most common conditions affecting exotic companion mammals. This article provides a clinical approach of the conditions presenting with alopecia, pruritus, scaling/crusting, erosion/ulceration, and nodules in order to select and interpret the appropriate diagnostic tests to achieve a diagnosis for a successful treatment.

Virological Characterization of Pigs with Erythema Multiforme

Erythema multiforme in pigs is an acute, self-limiting disease characterized by red skin areas and often associated with anorexia, fever and respiratory problems. The cause of the disease remains unknown. In a recent study, animals of a commercial breeding herd in Greece were examined, and all animals were found seropositive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). However, neither PRRSV and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) viremia nor antibodies against Aujeszky’s disease virus, African swine fever virus and classical swine fever virus were detected. Here, an extended examination of these pigs was performed on a wide range of porcine viruses using highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Affected skin of five animals revealed the presence of porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus-1 (PLHV-1) in all cases, PLHV-2 in one animal and PLHV-3 in four animals. However, neither porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) nor porcine circoviruses (PCV1, PCV2, PCV3 and PCV4) were detected. In blood samples, PLHV-1 was present in two animals and PLHV-2, PCV2 and PCV3 in one individual, with PCMV, PCV1 and PCV4 in none of the animals. In one animal, four viruses were found in the blood (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, PCV2 and PCV3). A PRRSV viremia was also not detected. All animals carried porcine endogenous retrovirus C (PERV-C) in their genome, but recombinant PERV-A/C was not detected. The results suggest that porcine viruses may be involved in erythema multiforme in these animals and that further studies are needed to assess the role of these pathogens in the disease.

Eritema multiforme limitado à cavidade oral em um cão: relato de caso

RESUMO O eritema multiforme é uma doença incomum em cães, que afeta pele e mucosas, cuja etiologia ainda não foi completamente elucidada. Contudo, o envolvimento exclusivo da cavidade oral é considerado raro, tendo sido descrito poucas vezes até o presente momento. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever um caso de eritema multiforme limitado à cavidade oral em um canino. Um cão, fêmea, Akita, com sete anos de idade, apresentou histórico de ulcerações na cavidade oral e nas laterais da língua, sem alterações cutâneas ou sistêmicas. O diagnóstico definitivo foi realizado por meio do exame histopatológico da mucosa oral, e a terapia imunossupressora empregada mostrou-se eficaz. Embora o eritema multiforme seja considerado incomum na espécie canina, este relato de caso apresenta a forma mais rara da doença, com poucos casos descritos em medicina veterinária.

Erythema Multiforme Associated with Respiratory Disease in a Commercial Breeding Pig Herd

This study describes an erythema multiforme (EM) in breeding sows, after their mixing in the group housing system. Sows at 30-35 days of gestation showed red and raised skin areas, depression, anorexia, fever, respiratory problems, and increased return to estrus. Blood and nasal samples from diseased sows were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for respiratory pathogens. Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed on the blood samples. From diseased sows, vaginal swabs for microbiological examinations and samples at slaughterhouse for gross and microscopic examinations were collected. Samples from the complete gestation and lactation feed were examined for mycotoxins. All sampled sows were seropositive for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). No viremia for PRRSV and porcine circovirus type 2 were detected. All nasal samples were positive for Streptococcus suis, one for Swine Influenza Virus and one for App, Hemophilus parasuis, and S. suis. In all vaginal swabs, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. were detected. Diseased sows had moderate leukocytosis, mild anemia, and thrombocytopenia. No mycotoxins were detected in feed. Histopathological examination revealed increased vascularization of the superficial and middle dermis. EM was likely due to illness caused by viral and bacterial infections. This study suggests that stress caused by the sows' mixing might have triggered the problem.