Ocular lesions in cats diagnosed with systemic sporotrichosis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the most common ocular lesions and demonstrate the frequency of ophthalmic involvement in a group of cats with systemic sporotrichosis. ANIMALS STUDIED: Two hundred seventy-four cats diagnosed with systemic sporotrichosis. The inclusion criteria included previous positive cytopathological examination, histopathological examination, or fungal culture. PROCEDURES: In a prospective case-control study, 274 cats diagnosed with systemic sporotrichosis underwent ophthalmic evaluation and received treatment for systemic sporotrichosis. Of these animals, 63 had ocular abnormalities which were recorded, and conjunctivitis was scored from 0 to 5. Diagnostic techniques utilized included fungal culture, as well as cytopathological (10 eyes; 10 cats), and histopathological examination of the palpebral conjunctiva and eyes (2 eyes). RESULTS: Cytopathological and histopathological examination of the conjunctiva, as well as fungal culture, proved to be important tests for the detection of Sporothrix sp. Five cats without the evidence of ophthalmic abnormalities also had a positive fungal culture. The identified ocular lesions in animals with systemic sporotrichosis included increased serous discharge (79 eyes; 53 cats), blepharoconjunctivitis (33 eyes; 25 cats), conjunctivitis (39 eyes, 20 cats), blepharitis (9 eyes; 8 cats), uveitis (5 eyes; 3 cats), and Florida keratopathy-like lesions (2 eyes; 1 cat). CONCLUSION: Sporotrichosis should be considered a differential diagnosis for conjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis, especially in endemic areas. Fungal culture and cytopathology of ocular discharge and histopathological examinations of the conjunctiva are important for the diagnosis of ophthalmic sporotrichosis, although not all cats underwent laboratory testing in this study. Ocular discharge could be a source of contagion transmission.

Efficacy of hydrolyzed soy dog food and homemade food with original protein in the control of food-induced atopic dermatitis in dogs / Eficácia da ração de soja hidrolisada e da comida caseira com proteína original no controle da dermatite atópica induzida por alimentos em cães

Trophoallergens are specific components of food or its ingredients, able to precipitate the atopic eczema at 19.6% to 30% of the dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). This study evaluated the efficacy of hydrolyzed soy dog food and homemade food with unusual protein in the control of chronic pruritus in dogs with AD. For this, twenty-eight dogs with AD were selected. AD diagnosis was based on Favrot's criteria. The animals were separated in two groups; one group consumed hydrolyzed soy dog food while the other group consumed homemade food with protein sources and original carbohydrates. They were evaluated every two weeks by the Rybnicek and CADLI scale over 60 days. Animals in the group that consumed hydrolyzed soy dog food presented a reduced score of pruritus (Rybnicek scale) on days +15, +30, +45 and +60 (P<0.01) compared to day 0. While the dogs in the homemade food group have not presented a significant difference (P>0.05) in 60 days of treatment. When evaluated by the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI), dogs treated with soy hydrolyzed dog food had a partial improvement on days +45 (P<0.05) and +60 (P<0.01) compared to day 0, while the dogs in the second group did not show improvements (P>0.05) in 60 days of treatment. In conclusion, soy hydrolyzed dog food has proved effective to partially control clinical signs of food-induced atopic dermatitis; however, it is not effective for the complete control of the disease.(AU)

Os trofoalérgenos são componentes específicos do alimento ou de seus ingredientes, capazes de precipitar o eczema atópico em 19,6% a 30% dos cães com dermatite atópica (DA). O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da ração de soja hidrolisada e da comida caseira com proteína não usual no controle do prurido crônico em cães com DA. Para isso foram utilizados vinte e oito cães com DA. O diagnóstico de DA foi baseado nos critérios de Favrot. Os animais foram separados em dois grupos, um grupo consumindo ração hidrolisada de soja e o outro grupo comida caseira com fontes de proteína e carboidratos originais. Estes foram avaliados quinzenalmente pela escala de Rybnicek e CADLI durante 60 dias. Os animais do grupo alimentado com ração hidrolisada de soja apresentaram uma minimização no escore de prurido (escala de Rybnicek) nos dias +15, +30, +45 e +60 (P<0,01) em relação ao dia 0. Já os cães do grupo alimentado com comida caseira não apresentaram diferença significativa (P>0,05) nos 60 dias de tratamento. Quando avaliados pelo índice de CADLl os cães tratados com ração hidrolisada de soja tiveram uma melhora parcial nos dias, +45 (P<0,05) e +60 (P<0,01) em relação ao dia 0, enquanto que os cães do segundo grupo não obtiveram melhora (P>0,05) nos 60 dias de tratamento. A ração hidrolisada de soja se mostrou efetiva para controlar parcialmente os sinais clínicos da dermatite atópica induzida por alimentos, no entanto, não é eficaz para o controle total da doença.(AU)

Eficácia da ciclosporina no controle da dermatite atópica em cães / Efficacy of cyclosporine in the control of atopic dermatitis in dogs

A dermatite atópica é uma dermatopatia inflamatória, pruriginosa, crônica, de origem genética, resultante da perda da função de barreira física da pele e da hiperreatividade à alérgenos ambientais, trofoalérgenos, alérgenos microbianos e a irritantes primários. Este estudo avaliou a eficácia da ciclosporina no controle do prurido e das lesões associadas à dermatite atópica em cães. Selecionaram-se 24 cães com diagnóstico de dermatite atópica baseados nos critérios de Favrot et al. (2010), os quais foram divididos em dois grupos de 12 cães, onde o Grupo 1, recebeu ciclosporina (5mg/kg/vo/24h), e o Grupo 2, foi tratado com prednisona (0,5mg/kg/vo/24h) em doses decrescentes, ambos por 60 dias. Os animais foram continuamente avaliados, e seus escores sintomato-lesionais, baseados na escala de CADESI-03, estabelecidos nos dias 0, 30 e 60. Em adição, os escores de prurido de cada animal, baseado nos critérios de Rybnicek, foram semanalmente avaliados, do dia 0 ao 63. Todos os dados coletados foram analisados pelo teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido do teste de Dunn´s e para as análises entre os grupos foi utilizado o teste t, considerado o nível de significância mínimo de 5%. A ciclosporina teve uma eficácia similar, no controle lesional, ao grupo que recebeu prednisona no dia (+30) (p<0,05) e no dia (+60) (p<0,001) do tratamento, em relação ao dia zero. Uma diferença significativa do escore do prurido foi observada nos dias +28, +35, +42, +49, +56 e +63 (p<0,001), e no dia +21 (p<0,01) em relação ao momento inicial do tratamento, porém sua eficácia foi inferior ao Grupo 2, a partir do 42º dia de avaliação, mantendo-se esta diferença nos dias +49, +56 e +63 (p>0,05). Apesar da ciclosporina ter sido menos eficaz no controle do prurido, este se manteve em níveis aceitáveis, e seu uso contínuo não foi associado a efeitos colaterais relevantes.(AU)

Atopic dermatitis is an itchy, chronic inflammatory skin disease of genetic origin, resulting from loss of the physical barrier function of the skin and hyper-reactivity to environmental allergens, trofoallergens, microbial allergens and to primary irritants. The efficacy of cyclosporine in the control of pruritus and lesions associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs was evaluated. Twenty-four dogs with atopic dermatitis were selected, based on Favrot et al.'s criteria (2010). They were divided into two groups of 12 dogs, where Group 1 received cyclosporine (5mg/kg/vo/24h), and Group 2 was treated with prednisone (0.5mg/kg/vo/24h) in decreasing doses, both for 60 days. The animals were continuously evaluated, and theirits lesional symptomatology scores were based on a Cadesi-03 scale, set on days 0, 30 and 60. Pruritus scores of each dog, based on Rybnicek´s criteria, were weekly evaluated, from day 0 to day 63. All collected data were analyzed by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis´ test, followed by Dunn's test, and for the analysis between the groups, considered the minimum significance level of 5%, t-test was used. Cyclosporin had similar efficacy in lesional control in the group which received prednisone on day (+30) (p<0.05) and on the day (+60) (p<0.001) of treatment, compared with day zero. A significant difference of the itching score was observed on days +28, +35, +42, +49, +56 and +63 (p<0.001), and on day +21 (p<0.01) when compared to initial treatment. However, its efficacy was lower than Group 2, from 42 days of evaluation on, keeping such difference on days +49, +56 and +63 (p>0.05). Although cyclosporin have been less effective in controlling itching, it remained at acceptable levels, and its continued use was not associated with significant side effects.(AU)

Evaluation of the concentration of allergens from mites in fur and households dust of dogs with atopic dermatitis / Avaliação da concentração de alérgenos provenientes de ácaros na pelagem e na poeira de domicílios de cães com dermatite atópica

This study evaluated the concentration of Der p 1, Der f 1 and Blo t 5 in the fur and households of 20 dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) and 20 healthy dogs. The diagnosis of AD was clinical based on Favrot's criteria. Dust samples were collected with a domestic vacuum cleaner. For each site, 1m2 was vacuumed for 2 min. The samples were collected in separate filters, transferred into plastic containers, sealed and kept frozen until ELISA analysis. In the fur of atopic dogs the average concentration of Der p 1 was 0.25µg/g compared to 0.03µg/g in healthy dogs. In households with atopic dogs the highest concentrations of Der p 1 were found in carpets (2.18µg/g), followed by couches (1.53µg/g), beds (1.14µg/g), dogs' bed linen (0.64µg/g) and floors (0.14µg/g). The concentrations of Der p 1 on carpets, couches and beds were significantly higher than in atopic dogs' fur (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference when comparing the concentrations of Der f 1 and Blo t 5 in different environments of atopic dogs (p>0.05). The concentrations of Der p 1, Der f 1 and Blo t 5 were equivalent in atopic and non-atopic dog's households. Among the allergens studied, Der p 1 was the most commonly found, predominantly in carpets and couches.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou a concentração de Der p 1, Der f 1 e Blo t 5, na pelagem e no ambiente domiciliar de cães com dermatite atópica (DA). Para tal, foram selecionados 20 cães com DA e 20 cães saudáveis, e seus domicílios. O diagnóstico de DA foi baseado nos critérios de Favrot. As amostras de poeira foram colhidas com um aspirador de pó doméstico. Para cada local de colheita, foi aspirado 1m2 por dois minutos. As amostras foram recolhidas em filtros separadamente, transferidas para envelopes plásticos, seladas e mantidas congeladas até serem analisadas pelo método de ELISA. Na pelagem dos cães com DA, a concentração média de Der p 1 foi de 0,25µg/g de poeira e nos cães saudáveis foi de 0,03µg/g. No ambiente de cães com DA, o Der p 1 foi encontrado em maior concentração média no tapete (2,18 µg/g), seguido pelo sofá (1,53g/g), cama (1,14µg/g) e roupa de cama dos cães (0,64µg/g) e chão (0,14µg/g). As concentrações de Der p 1 no tapete, sofá e cama dos cães foram significativamente maiores que na pelagem de cães com dermatite atópica (p<0,05). Enquanto que, não houve diferença estatística quando comparadas as concentrações de Der f 1 e Blo t 5 nos diferentes ambientes avaliados (p>0,05). As concentrações de alérgenos Der p 1, Der f 1 e Blo t 5 se equivaleram em ambientes de cães com DA e saudáveis. Entre os alérgenos estudados, o Der p 1 foi o mais comumente encontrado, prevalecendo no tapete e no sofá.(AU)

Genetic variability in Microsporum canis isolated from cats, dogs and humans in Brazil.

Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis is a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical manifestations. M. canis is a zoophilic dermatophyte and the most frequent fungi isolated from dogs, cats and children in Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of M. canis isolates from different animal species using two microsatellite markers, namely, McGT(13) and McGT(17), and to correlate the results with the clinical and epidemiological patient data in Brazil. The study included a global set of 102 M. canis strains, including 37 symptomatic cats, 35 asymptomatic cats, 19 human patients with tinea, 9 asymptomatic dogs and 2 symptomatic dogs. A total of 14 genotypes were identified, and 6 large populations were distinguished. There was no correlation between these multilocus genotypes and the clinical and epidemiological data, including the source, symptomatology, clinical picture, breed, age, sex, living conditions and geographic location. These results demonstrate that the use of microsatellite polymorphisms is a reliable method for the differentiation of M. canis strains. However, we were unable to demonstrate a shared clinical and epidemiological pattern among the same genotype samples.

Screening of antigenemia and isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii from cloaca and crop of birds in the state of Paraná, Brazil / Antigenemia e tentativa de isolamento de Cryptococcus neoformans e C. gattii a partir da cloaca e inglúvio de aves no Estado do Paraná

Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are associated with dry bird excreta but rarely recovered from birds' digestive tract. The objective of the present study was (1) to verify the existence of C. neoformans and C. gattii in crop and cloaca of wildlife and captivity birds hypothesizing about a possible primary source of this yeast in the excreta, and (2) to determine the fungi's invasive capability in avian species through latex agglutination. For that purpose, 172 cloacal and 77 crop samples of domestic pigeon, Passerine, and Psittacine birds were collected. None of these samples was positive, suggesting that the yeast is not saprobiotic in the digestive tract of these birds. Only one out of 82 serum samples collected from pigeons and Psittacine birds was positive (title 1:2) showing that Cryptococcus sp. probably has a low invasive capability in birds, and is thus considered only a dry excreta colonizer.

Cryptococcus neoformans e C. gattii são frequentemente isolados de excretas de aves, entretanto ocorre pouca recuperação desse fungo a partir do trato gastrintestinal. Os objetivos desse estudo foram verificar a existência de C. neoformans e C. gattii no inglúvio e na cloaca de aves de vida livre e cativeiro, avaliando uma possível fonte primária desta levedura nas excretas e determinar a capacidade invasiva do fungo em aves por meio da aglutinação em látex. Para tanto, foram coletadas 172 amostras de cloaca e 77 de inglúvio de pombos- domésticos, Passeriformes e Psittaciformes. Nenhuma amostra se mostrou positiva, sugerindo-se que o fungo não é saprobiótico do aparelho digestório destas aves. Das 82 amostras de soro colhidas a partir de pombos-domésticos e Psittaciformes, somente uma obtida a partir de pombo-doméstico se mostrou positiva (titulação 1:2), demonstrando que Cryptococcus sp. apresenta baixa capacidade invasiva em aves, sendo, portanto, considerado somente um colonizador de excretas ressequidas.