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Jaffey JA, Cañete-Gibas CF, Wiederhold NP, Sanders CJ, Struthers JD, Black A, Wu B, Thomas KS, Bennett P, Watt J. Novel Curvularia species causing disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in a dog. Top Companion Anim Med 2025; 64:100939. [PMID: 39653134 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2024.100939] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 11/28/2024] [Accepted: 12/05/2024] [Indexed: 12/16/2024]
Abstract
Phaeohyphomycosis is an uncommon disease caused by dematiaceous fungi that is almost exclusively found in immunocompromised dogs. Here we describe the case of a dog treated with prednisone (1.1 mg/kg/day) and cyclosporine (11.2 mg/kg/day) for immune thrombocytopenia that developed cutaneous/subcutaneous lesions affecting both forelimbs 29 days after initiation of immunosuppression. The owner elected conservative outpatient treatment that consisted of wound care, antibiotics, mirtazapine, maropitant, and a dose reduction of prednisone (0.3 mg/kg/day) in lieu of biopsies or cultures. The dog was subsequently euthanized 13 days later because of an acute onset of increased respiratory rate and effort, obtunded mentation, and an inability to ambulate. Postmortem examination revealed widespread fungal dissemination in the heart, pericardium, intercostal muscles, lymph nodes, skin, subcutis, kidneys, lungs, pleura, and nasal cavity. Histopathology of the widespread plaques and nodules revealed fungal hyphae that were 4-8 µm in diameter, pigmented, variably septate, non-parallel, and toruloid with acute branching and occasional terminal bulbous dilations up to 20 µm in diameter, resembling chlamydoconidia. Yeast-like cells had a thick, variably pigmented wall and internal, foamy to granular, pale amphophilic contents. Fungal culture of swabs from the right elbow subcutaneous granulomas and from the left lateral pleural nodules yielded pure growth of Curvularia sp. Genomic DNA was extracted from harvested mycelia and molecular sequencing confirmed the presence of a novel Curvularia sp., C. arizonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared A Jaffey
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA.
| | - Connie F Cañete-Gibas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Carmita J Sanders
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jason D Struthers
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Annalise Black
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - BinXi Wu
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Kara S Thomas
- Department of Primary Care, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Patricia Bennett
- Department of Primary Care, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Jessica Watt
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
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Martins LML. Survey of Sensitization to Common Fungi in an Allergic Dog Population: The Need for Further Focus on Sensitization and Allergy to Fungi in Veterinary Medicine. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1075. [PMID: 37998880 PMCID: PMC10672432 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Most fungal species are commensals and non-pathogenic to plants, humans, or animals. However, several species of the Alternaria, Aspergillus, Trichophyton, and Microsporum genera are common causes of disease, even for immunocompetent individuals. Besides mucosal damage, fungi may contribute to a skin barrier impairment, favoring sensitization and allergy development. A total of 68 allergic dogs were selected from a veterinary dermatology and allergy outpatient consultation for conditions related to both Malassezia overgrowth and other fungal complications. The allergy diagnosis was made through anamnesis and current clinical criteria, with the involved allergenic species being identified by intradermal tests (IDTs) and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) determination in serum. Dermatophagoides farinae, Dactylis glomerata, and Malassezia pachydermatis showed as the higher sensitization species from house dust mites, grass pollen, and fungi, respectively. Significant correlations at p < 0.05 were found between sensitization to Dactylis glomerata and Phleum pratense grass pollens, Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Lepidoglyphus destructor dust/storage mites, and between fungi like Aspergillus mix and Penicillium or Alternaria alternata. A significant correlation was also found between sensitization to the Aspergillus mix and D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, or A. siro. Rather severe dermatitis was observed when a positive IDT to Malassezia pachydermatis was found, regardless of the detection of circulating sIgE, allowing us to consider the usefulness of both the IDT and the sIgE for a systematic diagnosis of allergy to fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Miguel Lourenço Martins
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Science and Technology, MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Apartado 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
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Zendri F, Richards-Rios P, Maciuca I, Ricci E, Timofte D. Disseminated Nocardiosis Caused by Nocardia farcinica in Two Puppy Siblings. Vet Sci 2022; 10:vetsci10010028. [PMID: 36669029 PMCID: PMC9860694 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic nocardiosis due to Nocardia farcinica has not been reported in canine outbreaks. Two 14-week-old female Dogue de Bordeaux siblings presented with fever and severe, acute onset limb lameness; traumatic lesions with evidence of infection were identified over the lame limbs of both dogs. The patients were euthanised owing to lack of therapeutic response and rapid escalation to systemic infection with central nervous system manifestations. The post-mortem changes consisted of multiple disseminated abscesses, mainly affecting the skin and subcutis at the limb traumatic injuries, local and hilar lymph nodes, lung, kidney and brain. Bacterial culture and identification via MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA sequencing revealed Nocardia farcinica from several of these sites in both dogs. Clinical significance of the isolate was supported by cytology of the post-mortem organs' impression smears showing numerous branching filamentous bacteria associated with inflammation. The organism displayed marked multidrug-resistance. No history of immunosuppression was available, and immunohistochemistry ruled out viral pathogens as canine distemper and parvovirus. N. farcinica should be considered as a potential differential cause of sudden lameness and systemic infection in dogs with traumatic skin lesions over the limbs. This is the first reported small-scale outbreak of systemic nocardiosis in dogs due to N. farcinica.
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Pascutti KM, Dolan JK, Porter LT, Gilor S, Harris AN. Case Report: Septic Pericarditis With Achromobacter xyloxidans in an Immunosuppressed Dog. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:884654. [PMID: 35664856 PMCID: PMC9158496 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.884654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A 5-year-old female spayed French Bulldog presented for anorexia and increased respiratory rate. On presentation, she was dyspneic with stridor and increased bronchovesicular sounds. Point-of-care ultrasound identified pericardial effusion. Thoracic radiographs identified pleural effusion, a wide cranial mediastinum, and multifocal unstructured interstitial pulmonary opacities. Bloodwork revealed a moderate leukocytosis characterized by a mature neutrophilia with a left shift, hypoalbuminemia, mildly increased alkaline phosphatase activity, and moderate hypokalemia. Thoracic CT findings revealed moderate pericardial and bilateral pleural effusion, mediastinal effusion, and moderate cranial mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Diagnostic thoracocentesis and pericardiocentesis revealed septic exudates with bacilli. Two days later, a median sternotomy and pericardiectomy were performed. Aerobic cultures of the effusions grew Achromobacter xylosoxidans ss deitrificans. The patient was treated with Amoxicillin-clavulanate and enrofloxacin for 12 weeks and clinically fully recovered. Achromobacter xylosoxidans has not been reported as a cause of purulent pericarditis and pyothorax in a dog. Uniquely, this patient is suspected of developing this infection secondary to immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M. Pascutti
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jacqueline K. Dolan
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostics and Population Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Lauren T. Porter
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Shir Gilor
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostics and Population Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Autumn N. Harris
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Martins LML. Allergy to Fungi in Veterinary Medicine: Alternaria, Dermatophytes and Malassezia Pay the Bill! J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:235. [PMID: 35330237 PMCID: PMC8951134 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal kingdom comprises ubiquitous forms of life with 1.5 billion years, mostly phytopathogenic and commensals for humans and animals. However, in the presence of immune disorders, fungi may cause disease by intoxicating, infecting or sensitizing with allergy. Species from the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus and Malassezia, as well as dermatophytes from the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton, are the most commonly implicated in veterinary medicine. Alternaria and Malassezia stand as the most commonly associated with either allergy or infection in animals, immediately followed by Aspergillus, while dermatophytes are usually associated with the ringworm skin infection. By aiming at the relevance of fungi in veterinary allergy it was concluded that further research is still needed, especially in the veterinary field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Miguel Lourenço Martins
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Science and Technology, MED-Instituto Mediterrâneo para a Agricultura, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, University of Évora, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
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Liatis T, Theochari F, Kalogianni L, Soubasis N, Oikonomidis IL, Velegraki A, Psalla D, Triantafyllou E, Patsikas M, Polizopoulou Z. Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:273-278. [PMID: 33830496 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A 13-year-old female neutered domestic short-hair cat was presented with chronic progressive vestibular ataxia, lethargy and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge. Neurological examination revealed obtundation, a right head tilt, ambulatory tetraparesis, generalised vestibular ataxia, decreased postural reactions in all limbs, right Horner's syndrome, spontaneous conjugate jerk rotatory nystagmus and right positional ventral strabismus. Neuroanatomical localisation was observed in the right central vestibular system. Computed tomography revealed a solitary ill-defined contrast-enhancing mass lesion at the level of the right cerebellopontine angle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed mild mononuclear pleocytosis and fungal elements. CSF culture was positive for Curvularia spp. Further tests for underlying diseases were all negative. The cat was treated with antibiotic and antifungal treatment, but it deteriorated rapidly and was euthanased. Necropsy of the brainstem mass lesion revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and subsequent sequencing identified Curvularia lunata in the formalin fixed brain tissue. This is the first report of brainstem phaeohyphomycosis by Curvularia lunata (Pleosporales) in a cat. In addition, this is the first report among animal and humans where fungal elements of Curvularia lunata were found in the CSF cytology. Opportunistic fungal pathogens should be always considered within the differential diagnoses list in cats with neurological signs and advanced imaging findings compatible with solitary mass lesions in the brain. In feline patients with pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis and a suspicion of a fungal aetiology, panfungal PCR for the ITS region and sequencing should be performed regardless of the absence of fungal elements in histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Liatis
- Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.,Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - F Theochari
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - L Kalogianni
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - N Soubasis
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - I L Oikonomidis
- Easter Bush Pathology, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.,Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - A Velegraki
- Mycology Research Laboratory and UOA/HCPF Culture Collection, Microbiology Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece.,Mycology Laboratory, Biomedicine S.A., Athens, 115 25, Greece
| | - D Psalla
- Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - E Triantafyllou
- Vet Analyses - Veterinary Diagnostic Lab S.A., Larissa, 412 22, Greece
| | - M Patsikas
- Diagnostic Imaging Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
| | - Z Polizopoulou
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 27, Greece
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Sun PL, Jeffery U. Effect of dilution of canine blood samples on the specificity of saline agglutination tests for immune-mediated hemolysis. J Vet Intern Med 2020; 34:2374-2383. [PMID: 33169867 PMCID: PMC7694812 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Saline agglutination tests (SATs) are widely recommended for diagnosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs, but there are frequent false-positive results. OBJECTIVES Specificity of SATs will improve at higher saline-to-blood ratios. ANIMALS One hundred fifty dogs treated at a veterinary referral hospital with hematocrits ≤30%. METHODS Prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Immune-mediated hemolysis (IMH) was considered present if a gel direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was positive and there was clinical evidence of hemolysis (n = 9), absent if another mechanism for anemia was identified and the DAT was negative or there was no hemolysis (n = 138), and if IMH status was unclear, dogs were excluded (n = 3). Saline agglutination tests were prepared at 1 : 1, 4 : 1, 9 : 1, and 49 : 1 saline-to-blood ratios, and microscopic agglutination was considered a positive result. RESULTS Specificity for IMH increased from 29% (95% confidence interval 20-38) at a 1 : 1 dilution to 97% (93-99) at a 49 : 1 dilution. Sensitivity was 88% (47-100) at 1 : 1 and 4 : 1 dilutions and 67% (30-93%) at 9 : 1 and 49 : 1 dilutions. Diagnostic accuracy increased from 33% (24-42) at 1 : 1 dilution to 95% (90-98) at 49 : 1 dilution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE If performed using a 49 : 1 saline-to-blood ratio, SATs achieve high specificity for IMH. Based on a gold standard of positive DAT and evidence of hemolysis, lower saline-to-blood ratio results should not be used because false-positive results are common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prudence L Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Unity Jeffery
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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