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Beckwith-Cohen B, Petersen-Jones SM. Manifestations of systemic disease in the retina and fundus of cats and dogs. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1337062. [PMID: 38444779 PMCID: PMC10912207 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1337062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The fundus is unique in that it is the only part of the body that allows for a noninvasive and uninterrupted view of vasculature and nervous tissue. Utilization of this can be a powerful tool in uncovering salient incidental findings which point to underlying systemic diseases, and for monitoring response to therapy. Retinal venules and arterioles allow the clinician to assess changes in vascular color, diameter, outline, and tortuosity. The retina and optic nerve may exhibit changes associated with increased or decreased thickness, inflammatory infiltrates, hemorrhages, and detachments. While some retinal manifestations of systemic disease may be nonspecific, others are pathognomonic, and may be the presenting sign for a systemic illness. The examination of the fundus is an essential part of the comprehensive physical examination. Systemic diseases which may present with retinal abnormalities include a variety of disease classifications, as represented by the DAMNIT-V acronym, for Degenerative/Developmental, Anomalous, Metabolic, Neoplastic, Nutritional, Inflammatory (Infectious/Immune-mediated/ischemic), Toxic, Traumatic and Vascular. This review details systemic illnesses or syndromes that have been reported to manifest in the fundus of companion animals and discusses key aspects in differentiating their underlying cause. Normal variations in retinal anatomy and morphology are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billie Beckwith-Cohen
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Simon M. Petersen-Jones
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Price P, Klobukowska HJ, Castillo-Alcala F, Foxwell JA, Orbell G, Brown S, Irving AC. Protothecosis in four dogs in New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2023; 71:321-328. [PMID: 37584100 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2023.2248066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
CASE HISTORIES Medical records of four dogs diagnosed with protothecosis in New Zealand were reviewed. The dogs were aged between 4 and 9 years and three of the four dogs were female. Breeds were one Labrador, one Miniature Schnauzer and two crossbreeds. The reasons for initial veterinary evaluation were a cough and opaque appearance of the right eye (Case 1), diarrhoea (Cases 2 and 3), and cutaneous disease (Case 4). CLINICAL FINDINGS The ocular signs were characterised by panuveitis, retinal detachment and secondary glaucoma. Gastrointestinal signs included chronic haemorrhagic diarrhoea due to colitis. Three cases had disseminated infection and developed both bilateral, blinding, ocular disease and chronic gastrointestinal disease. Cutaneous signs consisted of draining fistulae over the olecranon, multifocal cutaneous nodules, and ulceration and tracts of the foot pads. Disseminated protothecosis was confirmed by histopathology of biopsied ocular tissues in Cases 1 and 2 and by gastrointestinal biopsies in Case 3. Prototheca spp. were also identified in cytological specimens from Cases 1 and 4 and recovered by culture in Cases 2 and 4. Cutaneous protothecosis was diagnosed in Case 4 initially by cytology and histopathology of skin lesions, and Prototheca zopfii was confirmed by PCR of cultured organisms. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Prior to diagnosis of protothecosis, a variety of treatments were prescribed to treat the gastrointestinal and ocular signs. After diagnosis, only Cases 2 and 4 received medication aimed at treating the protothecal infection, which was itraconazole in both cases. Following the progression of clinical signs and concerns about quality of life, all four dogs were euthanised. DIAGNOSIS Disseminated protothecosis in three dogs, cutaneous protothecosis in one dog. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Canine protothecosis is rarely reported, despite the ubiquity of the causal algae, and the disease usually carries an extremely grave prognosis when infection is generalised. In New Zealand, protothecosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with panuveitis, chorioretinitis or retinal detachment, colitis, or nodular, ulcerative or fistulating cutaneous lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Psa Price
- Eyevet Services Ltd., Feilding, New Zealand
| | - H J Klobukowska
- New Zealand Veterinary Pathology, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - F Castillo-Alcala
- Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - J A Foxwell
- Animal Health Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Gmb Orbell
- New Zealand Veterinary Pathology, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - S Brown
- Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - A C Irving
- Eyevet Services Ltd., Feilding, New Zealand
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Ely VL, Felipetto Cargnelutti J, Segabinazzi Ries A, Gressler LT, Costa S, Braz PH, Pötter L, Matiuzzi da Costa M, Gomes da Silva Júnior F, Pequeno de Oliveira H, Sangioni LA, Brayer Pereira DI, de Avila Botton S. Prototheca bovis in goats: Experimental mastitis and treatment with polypyrrole. Microb Pathog 2023; 174:105950. [PMID: 36528325 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Prototheca bovis has been associated with several cases of mastitis in cattle but no record of intramammary infections has been reported in goats. This infection does not respond to available treatments and the disposal recommendation of affected animals cause great damage to the dairy industry. Alternatives for dealing with infections caused by Prototheca spp. are required worldwide. In vitro results suggest polypyrrole as promising molecule for combating this alga, because an algaecide effect was observed on tested Prototheca spp. isolates. Thus, this study evaluated goats as an experimental model for intramammary infection by P. bovis and a protocol for treating these animals with an intramammary polypyrrole solution. The possibility of P. bovis promoting an intramammary infection in goats was experimentally proven, demonstrating this species as an important model for studies involving algae mastitis. Furthermore, polypyrrole reduced the counts of Prototheca sp. in the analyzed samples, showing potential to fight this microorganism also in vivo. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the ability of P. bovis to colonize breast tissue in lactating goats and the highly soluble molecule of polypyrrole has potential use for the treatment of protothecosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valessa Lunkes Ely
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 44 (CCRII), Sala 5132, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana Felipetto Cargnelutti
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 44 (CCRII), Sala 5132, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Ananda Segabinazzi Ries
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 44 (CCRII), Sala 5132, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Letícia Trevisan Gressler
- Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Campus Frederico Westphalen, Linha 7 de Setembro, BR 386 - KM 40 s/n, Frederico Westphalen, RS, 98400-000, Brazil
| | - Samay Costa
- Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Campus Frederico Westphalen, Linha 7 de Setembro, BR 386 - KM 40 s/n, Frederico Westphalen, RS, 98400-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique Braz
- Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Campus Frederico Westphalen, Linha 7 de Setembro, BR 386 - KM 40 s/n, Frederico Westphalen, RS, 98400-000, Brazil
| | - Luciana Pötter
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zootecnia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 44 (CCRII), Sala 5132, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Mateus Matiuzzi da Costa
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR 407 - Km 12, Lote 543, Projeto Irrigação Senador Nilo Coelho s/nº, Petrolina, CEP 56300-990, Brazil
| | - Fernando Gomes da Silva Júnior
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR 407 - Km 12, Lote 543, Projeto Irrigação Senador Nilo Coelho s/nº, Petrolina, CEP 56300-990, Brazil
| | - Helinando Pequeno de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR 407 - Km 12, Lote 543, Projeto Irrigação Senador Nilo Coelho s/nº, Petrolina, CEP 56300-990, Brazil
| | - Luis Antonio Sangioni
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 44 (CCRII), Sala 5132, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Daniela Isabel Brayer Pereira
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Instituto de Biologia, Campus Capão do Leão s/n, Capão do Leão, RS, 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Sônia de Avila Botton
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 44 (CCRII), Sala 5132, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
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Riet-Correa F, Carmo PMSD, Uzal FA. Protothecosis and chlorellosis in sheep and goats: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 33:283-287. [PMID: 33319632 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720978781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protothecosis and chlorellosis are sporadic algal diseases that can affect small ruminants. In goats, protothecosis is primarily associated with lesions in the nose and should be included in the differential diagnosis of causes of rhinitis. In sheep, chlorellosis causes typical green granulomatous lesions in various organs. Outbreaks of chlorellosis have been reported in sheep consuming stagnant water, grass from sewage-contaminated areas, and pastures watered by irrigation canals or by effluents from poultry-processing plants. Prototheca and Chlorella are widespread in the environment, and environmental and climatic changes promoted by anthropogenic activities may have increased the frequency of diseases produced by them. The diagnosis of these diseases must be based on gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions, coupled with detection of the agent by immunohistochemical-, molecular-, and/or culture-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin Riet-Correa
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Colonia, Uruguay.,Programa de Pos-graduação em Ciência Animal nos Trópicos, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador
| | - Priscila Maria Silva do Carmo
- Hospital Veterinário, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Bairro Santa Cecília, Patos, Brazil
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, CA
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Geisen V, Mayer C, Harrer J, Hartmann K, Ulrich S, Unterer S. [Disseminated protothecosis with ulcerative granulomatous colitis in a Rhodesian Ridgeback from Germany]. TIERAERZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE KLEINTIERE HEIMTIERE 2020; 48:369-375. [PMID: 33086414 DOI: 10.1055/a-1238-1554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A 10-month-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback was presented to the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU, Germany, with a 6-month history of chronic diarrhea and hematochezia. The dog lived in Germany and had never traveled abroad. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry performed by the referring veterinarian revealed neutrophilia, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia, with a basal cortisol of 4.3 µg/dl, which excluded hypoadrenocorticism. Since antibiotic treatment had not resulted in any improvement, a 2 week course of prednisolone administration had been initiated, leading to a marked deterioration of intestinal signs and a significant weight loss of 6 kg. At the time of referral, the patient was markedly emaciated, dehydrated, hypovolemic and had a rectal temperature of 39.6 °C. Abdominal ultrasound showed a thickened and irregular colonic wall. On colonoscopy, an irregular colonic mucosa with ulcerations was observed. Histopathologic examination revealed an ulcerative granulomatous colitis, and on Periodic acid-Schiff reaction (PAS) numerous organisms consistent with Prototheca spp. were identified. Prototheca zopfii infection was confirmed by culture and MALDI-TOF MS. In order to test for an underlying immunodeficiency, immunoglobulin levels in serum were determined. IgM was decreased, while IgG and IgA levels were within the reference interval. Due to deterioration of general condition, grave prognosis and costs of a treatment trial, the patient was euthanized one week later, and necropsy was performed. Prototheca spp. were detected on histopathologic examination in the lymphnodes, however not in the eyes or the central nervous system. Protothecosis should be considered an differential diagnosis in dogs with chronic diarrhea and ulcerative granulomatous colitis even in dogs living in Germany. Histopathologic examination of colonic biopsies with special stains such as PAS is recommended in every dog with signs of chronic large bowel disease in order to avoid missing this rare infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Geisen
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Christian Mayer
- Institut für Tierpathologie, Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Julia Harrer
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Sebastian Ulrich
- Institut für Infektionsmedizin und Zoonosen, Veterinärwissenschaftliches Department, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Stefan Unterer
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
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6
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Cocchetto A, Briola C, Furlanello T, Danesi P, Cirla A, Menchetti M. 3‐T MRI of protothecosis encephalic lesions in a Scottish shepherd dog. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Cocchetto
- Neurology and Neurosurgery DivisionSan Marco Veterinary ClinicVeggiano (Padova)Italy
| | - Chiara Briola
- Cambridge UniversityCambridgeUK
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology DivisionSan Marco Veterinary ClinicVeggiano (Padova)Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVE)LegnaroItaly
| | - Alessandro Cirla
- Ophtalmology DivisionSan Marco Veterinary ClinicVeggiano (Padova)Italy
| | - Marika Menchetti
- Neurology and Neurosurgery DivisionSan Marco Veterinary ClinicVeggiano (Padova)Italy
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7
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Whipple KM, Wellehan JF, Jeon AB, Sabatino BR, Frasca S, Popov VL, Ossiboff R, Leissinger MK. Cytologic, histologic, microbiologic, and electron microscopic characterization of a canine Prototheca wickerhamii infection. Vet Clin Pathol 2020; 49:326-332. [PMID: 32468599 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An adult dog was presented for chronic cough and a recent development of ulcerated, erythematous nares with nasal discharge. Cytology of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes revealed many intracellular and extracellular organisms. These round or rarely oval organisms measured approximately 5-9 µm in diameter and frequently contained several globular structures, ranging from deeply basophilic to magenta. A thin, clear halo was present. Smaller 1-2 µm, magenta forms were also observed. Fungal culture yielded small, wet, raised, irregularly shaped, white to pale tan colonies. Microbiologic staining of cultured material revealed features suggestive of algae. Histopathology of the lymph nodes revealed marked granulomatous inflammation with intralesional algal organisms suggestive of Prototheca. Electron microscopic findings were also consistent with protothecosis. Polymerase chain reaction, followed by direct DNA sequencing, identified the organism as Prototheca wickerhamii. A brief literature review discussing protothecosis in veterinary medicine is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie M Whipple
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - James F Wellehan
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Albert B Jeon
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bethany R Sabatino
- Blue Pearl Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Salvatore Frasca
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Robert Ossiboff
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mary K Leissinger
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Severgnini M, Lazzari B, Capra E, Chessa S, Luini M, Bordoni R, Castiglioni B, Ricchi M, Cremonesi P. Genome sequencing of Prototheca zopfii genotypes 1 and 2 provides evidence of a severe reduction in organellar genomes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14637. [PMID: 30279542 PMCID: PMC6168571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32992-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prototheca zopfii (P. zopfii, class Trebouxiophyceae, order Chlorellales, family Chlorellaceae), a non-photosynthetic predominantly free-living unicellular alga, is one of the few pathogens belonging to the plant kingdom. This alga can affect many vertebrate hosts, sustaining systemic infections and diseases such as mastitis in cows. The aim of our work was to sequence and assemble the P. zopfii genotype 1 and genotype 2 mitochondrial and plastid genomes. Remarkably, the P. zopfii mitochondrial (38 Kb) and plastid (28 Kb) genomes are models of compaction and the smallest known in the Trebouxiophyceae. As expected, the P. zopfii genotype 1 and 2 plastid genomes lack all the genes involved in photosynthesis, but, surprisingly, they also lack those coding for RNA polymerases. Our results showed that plastid genes are actively transcribed in P. zopfii, which suggests that the missing RNA polymerases are substituted by nuclear-encoded paralogs. The simplified architecture and highly-reduced gene complement of the P. zopfii mitochondrial and plastid genomes are closer to those of P. stagnora and the achlorophyllous obligate parasite Helicosporidium than to those of P. wickerhamii or P. cutis. This similarity is also supported by maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses inferences. Overall, the P. zopfii sequences reported here, which include nuclear genome drafts for both genotypes, will help provide both a deeper understanding of the evolution of Prototheca spp. and insights into the corresponding host/pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Severgnini
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Lazzari
- PTP-Science Park, Lodi, Italy.,Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Emanuele Capra
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Stefania Chessa
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Mario Luini
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Lodi, Italy
| | - Roberta Bordoni
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Bianca Castiglioni
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Matteo Ricchi
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Paola Cremonesi
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
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Silveira CS, Cesar D, Keating MK, DeLeon-Carnes M, Armién AG, Luhers M, Riet-Correa F, Giannitti F. A Case of Prototheca zopfii Genotype 1 Infection in a Dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Mycopathologia 2018; 183:853-858. [PMID: 29872935 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-018-0274-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Protothecosis is a rare disease caused by environmental algae of the genus Prototheca. These are saprophytic, non-photosynthetic, aerobic, colorless algae that belong to the Chlorellaceae family. Seven different species have been described. Prototheca zopfii genotype 2 and P. wickerhamii are most commonly involved in pathogenic infections in humans and animals. The objective of this work is to describe, for the first time, a case of protothecosis caused by P. zopfii genotype 1 in a dog. The dog, a 4-year-old mix bred male, was presented to a veterinary clinic in Montevideo, Uruguay, with multiple skin nodules, one of which was excised by surgical biopsy. The sample was examined histologically and processed by PCR, DNA sequencing, and restriction fragments length polymorphisms for the detection and genotyping of P. zopfii. In addition, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed. Histology showed severe ulcerative granulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis with myriads of pleomorphic algae. Algal cells were 4-17 µm in size, with an amphophilic, 2-4-µm-thick wall frequently surrounded by a clear halo, contained flocculant material and a deeply basophilic nucleus, and internal septae with daughter cells (endospores) consistent with endosporulation. Ultrastructurally, algal cells/endospores at different stages of development were found within parasitophorous vacuoles in macrophages. Prototheca zopfii genotype 1 was identified by molecular testing, confirming the etiologic diagnosis of protothecosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Silveira
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta No. 50, km 11, La Estanzuela, Colonia, 70006, Uruguay
| | | | - M Kelly Keating
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Aníbal G Armién
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | | | - Franklin Riet-Correa
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta No. 50, km 11, La Estanzuela, Colonia, 70006, Uruguay
| | - Federico Giannitti
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta No. 50, km 11, La Estanzuela, Colonia, 70006, Uruguay. .,Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA.
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10
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Milley CD, Labelle P, Tolar E, Griffin J, Reeder C. Prototheca wickerhamii
in a dog with cutaneous, ocular and systemic manifestations and treatment with terbinafine. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2015-000225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erica Tolar
- Department of OphthalmologyBlue Pearl Veterinary PartnersLouisvilleKentuckyUSA
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