Management of Candida guilliermondii joint infection in a dog

Granulomatous polyarthritis caused by Talaromyces georgiensis in a dog

A 6-y-old, 3.5-kg, spayed female Toy Poodle was presented with left forelimb lameness of 2-d duration. Two months before the initial presentation, radiography showed osteolysis of the medial epicondyle of the left humerus, and the left forelimb was amputated. Grossly, the articular villi of the elbow joint were markedly thickened, and the articular cartilage surfaces of the distal humerus and proximal radius had partial erosion. Histologically, granulomatous arthritis and osteomyelitis characterized by the presence of abundant macrophages containing numerous fungi were observed. ITS and β-tubulin sequences amplified from the isolate from the specimen were 100% and 99% identical to type strain UTHSC D16-145^T of Talaromyces georgiensis, respectively. Canine osteoarthritis caused by T. georgiensis has not been reported previously, to our knowledge.

Influence of clipping on bacterial contamination of canine arthrocentesis sites before and after skin preparation

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of hair removal as part of the aseptic skin preparation of canine arthrocentesis sites and to characterize the bacterial flora remaining after aseptic skin preparation.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

STUDY POPULATION

Thirteen shorthaired beagle-cross dogs.

METHODS

A coin toss was used to randomly determine to have one carpus, elbow, tarsus, and stifle clipped. The contralateral side was left unclipped. Aseptic skin preparation was performed on all sites with 4% chlorhexidine followed by 70% isopropyl alcohol. The skin of each site was sampled for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures before and after aseptic skin preparation. Bacterial cultures were submitted for laboratory testing to determine the colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria and bacterial species isolated for each site.

RESULTS

Each group (clipped and unclipped) included 52 sites. Aseptic skin preparation reduced bacterial CFU in both groups. There was no association between values for CFU per milliliter after skin preparation of dogs and side (P = .07), joint (P = .71), pre-aseptic skin preparation CFU (P = .94), or clipping (P = .42). Staphylococcus spp were the most common of the bacterial species cultured.

CONCLUSION

In clean shorthaired dogs without visible evidence of dermatological disease, leaving arthrocentesis sites unclipped rather than performing traditional surgical clipping did not result in increased bacterial skin counts after aseptic skin preparation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In this study we did not find evidence to support that clipping of canine arthrocentesis sites is required for effective aseptic skin preparation. A prospective clinical trial is required to determine whether a change in practice would be associated with increased morbidity.

Risk factors for Candida urinary tract infections in dogs and cats

BACKGROUND

Candida urinary tract infections occur in both dogs in cats but there is limited data about risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for candiduria in dogs in cats.

ANIMALS

Eighteen dogs and 8 cats with candiduria.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study, using univariate exact logistic regression. Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of Candida and animals with culture-confirmed candiduria were enrolled. Controls had bacterial cystitis (dogs and cats) or cutaneous Malassezia infection (dogs only).

RESULTS

Administration of antibacterial drugs in the 30 days before diagnosis was associated with candiduria in dogs compared to controls with bacterial cystitis (OR 14.5; 95% CI 3.1-66.9) or with Malassezia infection (OR 26.4; 95% CI 3.4-206.7). Antecedent antibacterial drug administration was associated with candiduria in cats (OR 15.7; 95% CI 1.9-132.3). Immunosuppression was associated with candiduria in dogs when compared to controls with Malassezia infection (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-12.8), but not significantly when compared to dogs with bacterial cystitis (OR 2.7, 95% CI 0.9-8.0). Lower urinary tract diseases other than infection were associated with candiduria in cats (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.6-27.9), but not significantly in dogs (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.7-8.7). Neither diabetes mellitus nor history of hospitalization was significantly associated with candiduria in either species.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The recent administration of antibacterial drug therapy is a potential risk factor for development of candiduria in dogs and cats. Judicious use of antibacterial drugs might help to prevent candiduria.