Canine ringworm caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes - detection by SYBR-Green real-time PCR

Background: Dermatophytes, fungi of universal distribution, invade semi or fully keratinized structures, such as skin, fur/ hair and nails. The various species of dermatophytes are classified into three genera anamorphic: Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. The genus Epidermophyton includes only E. floccosum, that rarely affects animals. The main species responsible for the disease in dogs and cats are Microsporum canis, M. gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which were characterized through conventional mycological methodology (microscopic examination with KOH and culture). Molecular methodologies, such as real-time PCR, can contribute to a rapid laboratory diagnosis, helping clinicians to initiate an early antifungal treatment. This case report describes a case of canine dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes detected from a clinical sample by SYBR-Green real-time PCR. Case: A 8-year-old dog, rescued from the street, was referred to a private veterinary clinic in the city of Canoas, RS, Brazil, presenting generalized lymphadenomegaly, crusted lesions all over the body, generalized alopecia, signs of excoriation and epistaxis. Initially, were administered prednisone [1 mg/kg every 48 h, BID] and cephalexin [30 mg/kg, BID]. Weekly baths with benzoyl peroxide were also given. The therapy was not clinically successful. Wood's Lamp Test was negative. As a differential diagnosis, PCR for detection of Leishmania was negative. Complete blood count and serum biochemical assay were also performed. For mycological diagnosis, hair specimen was clarified and examined microscopically using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) for the visualization of chains of arthroconidia (ectothrix invasion of hair). The infected hair was plated onto MycoselTM Agar, incubated at 28°C for 15 days. Microscopy of hyphae/ conidia and macroscopic colony characteristics (colors and texture) were conducted for the differentiation of the species within the genus Microsporum and Trichophyton. In addition, real-time PCR was applied for direct analysis of the fungal DNA obtained from the hair sample. Microscopic examination was negative. The dermatophyte present in the hair sample was confirmed as Trichophyton mentagrophytes by culture and qPCR (melting-point analysis). The patient was treated with systemic itraconazole [10 mg/ kg SID - 90 days]. Twice-weekly application of 2.5 % miconazole and 2% chlorhexidine shampoo until complete cure. Discussion: Dermatophytosis is often listed as self-limiting infection; however, animal dermatophytosis can spread between pets, as well as a zoonotic transmission to humans. The literature on dermatophytosis indicates that Microsporum canis is the predominant etiological agent, followed by M. gypseum. Trichophyon mentagrophytes that appear in a lower percentage of isolation. The culture of hair, even with specific medium containing chloramphenicol and cyclohexamide, may present contaminating fungi, not related to dermatophytosis, which can inhibit or override the growth of dermatophytes. The use of real-time PCR provided a faster and specific diagnosis of dermatophytosis when compared to the conventional mycological methodology for detection and identification of T. mentagrophytes, which takes around 10 to 15 days for culture. It is possible to use this technique as an alternative diagnosis for dermatophytes associated to clinical hair samples of dogs.

Ocorrência de neoplasias cutâneas em cães com dermatite actínica em um Hospital Veterinário Escola (HCV - UFRGS) / Occurrence of cutaneous neoplasia in dogs with actinic dermatitis in a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital - UFRGS, Brazil

Background: Actinic dermatitis is an environmental skin disease resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light irradiated by thesun. This phototoxic reaction affects dogs and cats, particularly with short hair and lightly pigmented skin, exposed to sun light. Primarylesions are typical from a sunburn and chronic exposure, and may induce to a premalignant lesion known as actinic keratosis, whichmay develop to neoplasms. The aim of the present study was to describe a retrospective study of actinic dermatitis and the occurrenceof cutaneous neoplasia in dogs presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (HCV/UFRGS) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande doSul, Brazil in a period of 10 years.Materials, Methods & Results: A retrospective review of medical records from January 2009 to December 2019 was performed toidentify dogs with actinic dermatitis. Twenty-eight dogs were diagnosed based on a history of sun exposure and skin lesions includingerythema, scaling, comedones, thickened skin, hyperpigmentation, ulceration and/or secondary infections on poorly pigmented skin. Inaddition, in twelve dogs (42.8%) the disease was also confirmed by histopathology. Cutaneous lesions locations were previously definedas head, limbs, neck and trunk. The head was subdivided in chin, ears, face, lips and nasal plane; the limbs in pelvic and thoracic; andthe trunk, in abdomen, dorsal pelvis, perianal and thorax. All 28 dogs diagnosed with actinic dermatitis in the study had been chronically exposed to solar radiation and had light skin and coat. Dogs were between 3 and 20 years old, mean 7.6 years and median 7 years,mostly female dogs (64.3%) and neutered or spayed (64.3%). The most affected breeds were American Pitbull Terrier (35.7%) andBoxers (28.5%). Other breeds were Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, Dogo Argentino and Scottish Terrier...

Ocorrência de neoplasias cutâneas em cães com dermatite actínica em um Hospital Veterinário Escola (HCV - UFRGS) / Occurrence of cutaneous neoplasia in dogs with actinic dermatitis in a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital - UFRGS, Brazil

Background: Actinic dermatitis is an environmental skin disease resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light irradiated by thesun. This phototoxic reaction affects dogs and cats, particularly with short hair and lightly pigmented skin, exposed to sun light. Primarylesions are typical from a sunburn and chronic exposure, and may induce to a premalignant lesion known as actinic keratosis, whichmay develop to neoplasms. The aim of the present study was to describe a retrospective study of actinic dermatitis and the occurrenceof cutaneous neoplasia in dogs presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (HCV/UFRGS) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande doSul, Brazil in a period of 10 years.Materials, Methods & Results: A retrospective review of medical records from January 2009 to December 2019 was performed toidentify dogs with actinic dermatitis. Twenty-eight dogs were diagnosed based on a history of sun exposure and skin lesions includingerythema, scaling, comedones, thickened skin, hyperpigmentation, ulceration and/or secondary infections on poorly pigmented skin. Inaddition, in twelve dogs (42.8%) the disease was also confirmed by histopathology. Cutaneous lesions locations were previously definedas head, limbs, neck and trunk. The head was subdivided in chin, ears, face, lips and nasal plane; the limbs in pelvic and thoracic; andthe trunk, in abdomen, dorsal pelvis, perianal and thorax. All 28 dogs diagnosed with actinic dermatitis in the study had been chronically exposed to solar radiation and had light skin and coat. Dogs were between 3 and 20 years old, mean 7.6 years and median 7 years,mostly female dogs (64.3%) and neutered or spayed (64.3%). The most affected breeds were American Pitbull Terrier (35.7%) andBoxers (28.5%). Other breeds were Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, Dogo Argentino and Scottish Terrier...(AU)

Pênfigo foliáceo em um gato de oito meses de idade: possível reação cutânea adversa a fármacos? / Pemphigus foliaceus in an eight-month-old cat: possible cutaneous adverse drug reaction?

Background: Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune skin disease whose the occurrence in feline clinic is uncommom. The etiology is unknown in most cases. Althought it is a rare condition in cats, pemphigus foliaceus can be induced by drugs. It may affect both adult and old cats with no sexual or racial predilection and diagnosis is based on animal historical, clinical examination and skin histopathology. Moreover, the treatment consists in immunosuppressive-based drugs. This paper describes a pemphigus foliaceus case in an eight-month-old kitten, probably due a cutaneous adverse drug reaction.Case: A 8-month-old, neutered male mongrel cat with crusted lesions located on face was examinated at the Veterinary Hospital. The owners reported that they had adopted the patient two months before the clinical presentation suggesting that this background was unknown. The cat was treated in a local veterinary clinic with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory for rhinotracheitis and herpetic dermatitis on face due to the occurrence of sneezing and crusted pruriginous dermatitis. The kitten presented erosions, purulent exudation and crusts on pinnae, nasal and supra ocular areas, paronychia with purulent exudate and alopecia at distal portion of the tail. Supplementary exams such as skin scraping, cytology and fungal culture were performed to rule out other agents and confirm the diagnosis. The parasitological and fungal examination resulted negative despite the fact that cytological exam showed coccoid bacteria. Complete blood count and biochemical profile showed no alteration and the test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) resulted negative. Histological changes were consistent with intra-epidermal pustular subcorneal with acantholysis dermatitis. An immunosuppressive dose of prednisolona was prescribed for 15 days...

Pênfigo foliáceo em um gato de oito meses de idade: possível reação cutânea adversa a fármacos? / Pemphigus foliaceus in an eight-month-old cat: possible cutaneous adverse drug reaction?

Background: Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune skin disease whose the occurrence in feline clinic is uncommom. The etiology is unknown in most cases. Althought it is a rare condition in cats, pemphigus foliaceus can be induced by drugs. It may affect both adult and old cats with no sexual or racial predilection and diagnosis is based on animal historical, clinical examination and skin histopathology. Moreover, the treatment consists in immunosuppressive-based drugs. This paper describes a pemphigus foliaceus case in an eight-month-old kitten, probably due a cutaneous adverse drug reaction.Case: A 8-month-old, neutered male mongrel cat with crusted lesions located on face was examinated at the Veterinary Hospital. The owners reported that they had adopted the patient two months before the clinical presentation suggesting that this background was unknown. The cat was treated in a local veterinary clinic with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory for rhinotracheitis and herpetic dermatitis on face due to the occurrence of sneezing and crusted pruriginous dermatitis. The kitten presented erosions, purulent exudation and crusts on pinnae, nasal and supra ocular areas, paronychia with purulent exudate and alopecia at distal portion of the tail. Supplementary exams such as skin scraping, cytology and fungal culture were performed to rule out other agents and confirm the diagnosis. The parasitological and fungal examination resulted negative despite the fact that cytological exam showed coccoid bacteria. Complete blood count and biochemical profile showed no alteration and the test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) resulted negative. Histological changes were consistent with intra-epidermal pustular subcorneal with acantholysis dermatitis. An immunosuppressive dose of prednisolona was prescribed for 15 days...(AU)

Autochthonous canine visceral leishmaniasis in urban area of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil / Leishmaniose Visceral Canina autóctone na região urbana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

Background: Leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by intracellular protozoan Leishmania that affects canine and human. The visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the Leishmania donovani complex, in which canines are the main reservoir for human VL. In Southern Brazil, case reports of this disease have increased, especially when canines are infected in endemic areas in the country. Canines usually present a systemic disease, characterized by cutaneous lesions, weight loss, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. This report aims to describe the clinicalpathological features of a case of autochthonous VL in a canine of an urban area of Porto Alegre. Case: A male, mixed breed, dog , 7 year-old, resident at the East Side of Porto Alegre, living together with two other canines, presented at clinical examination progressive weight loss, associated with hyporexia and hyperthermia, evolving to lateral recumbency, paralisys, and death. At necropsy, the dog was cachectic with diffusely pale mucosae. Gross findings included liver enlarged, with multifocal firm brownish areas, spleen enlarged, showing multifocal firm round dark-red areas, and kidneys diffusely pale with evidentiated tranversal striations on cortical zone. At microscopic examination, there was on the spleen diffuse inflammatory infiltrate of macrophages with large cytoplasm containing multiple amastigotes. The liver, exhibited atrophy of hepatocytes and moderate multifocal inflammatory infiltrate in sinusoids of macrophages containing multiple amastigotes. These features were also observed moderately on lymph nodes and lamina propria of large intestine.[...]

Autochthonous canine visceral leishmaniasis in urban area of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil / Leishmaniose Visceral Canina autóctone na região urbana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

Background: Leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by intracellular protozoan Leishmania that affects canine and human. The visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the Leishmania donovani complex, in which canines are the main reservoir for human VL. In Southern Brazil, case reports of this disease have increased, especially when canines are infected in endemic areas in the country. Canines usually present a systemic disease, characterized by cutaneous lesions, weight loss, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. This report aims to describe the clinicalpathological features of a case of autochthonous VL in a canine of an urban area of Porto Alegre. Case: A male, mixed breed, dog , 7 year-old, resident at the East Side of Porto Alegre, living together with two other canines, presented at clinical examination progressive weight loss, associated with hyporexia and hyperthermia, evolving to lateral recumbency, paralisys, and death. At necropsy, the dog was cachectic with diffusely pale mucosae. Gross findings included liver enlarged, with multifocal firm brownish areas, spleen enlarged, showing multifocal firm round dark-red areas, and kidneys diffusely pale with evidentiated tranversal striations on cortical zone. At microscopic examination, there was on the spleen diffuse inflammatory infiltrate of macrophages with large cytoplasm containing multiple amastigotes. The liver, exhibited atrophy of hepatocytes and moderate multifocal inflammatory infiltrate in sinusoids of macrophages containing multiple amastigotes. These features were also observed moderately on lymph nodes and lamina propria of large intestine.[...](AU)

Isolation of dermatophytes and saprotrophic fungi from the hair coat of cats without skin disorders in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil / Isolamento de dermatófitos e fungos saprotróficos do pelame de gatos sem dermatoses na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre - RS, Brasil

Background: Dermatophytoses are one of the most frequent skin diseases of pets and livestock in the world. Contagionamong animal communities, difficulty in implementing control measures, and the eventual transmission of ringworm topeople explain its great importance. Microsporum canis causes a zoonosis that has increased in several countries, outnumbering classical anthropophilic dermatophytes. The objective of this study was to isolate dermatophytes from the hair coatof cats without skin disorders in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, south of Brazil, as well as evaluate the influenceof age, sex, hair length, habitat and access or not to the street as potential risk factors.Materials, Methods & Results: Samples were obtained from 191 cats with no skin disorders by rubbing sterilized carpetsquares on the cats skin (head, neck, dorsum, limbs and tail) and cultured for dermatophytes on Sabouraud dextrose agarwith chloramphenicol and cyclohexamide and incubated at 27°C for up to 21 days. Only the genus Microsporum (8,4%)was isolated from positive specimens: M. canis (5,8%) and M. gypseum (2,6%). On 15 samples (7,8%) there was no fungalgrowth. From the remaining 160 samples (83,8%), several saprotrophic fungi were isolated: hyaline filamentous fungi[Penicillium sp. (27), Aspergillus sp. (23), Scopulariopsis sp. (22), Acremonium sp. (10), Chrysosporium sp. (7), Paecilomyces sp. (7), Fusarium sp. (2) and unidentified hyalohyphomycetes (13)]; dematiaceous filamentous fungi [Cladosporiumsp. (39), Alternaria sp. (10), Curvularia sp. (10) and unidentified phaeohyphomycetes (14)]; Zygomycetes [Rhizopus sp.(2) and Mucor sp. (1)] and yeasts [Malassezia sp. (2) and Candida sp. (4)]. Inittialy, the possibility of association between predictors variables and a variable answer was evaluated by an univariate logistic regression model. Variables with...(AU)

Isolation of dermatophytes and saprotrophic fungi from the hair coat of cats without skin disorders in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil / Isolamento de dermatófitos e fungos saprotróficos do pelame de gatos sem dermatoses na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre - RS, Brasil

Background: Dermatophytoses are one of the most frequent skin diseases of pets and livestock in the world. Contagionamong animal communities, difficulty in implementing control measures, and the eventual transmission of ringworm topeople explain its great importance. Microsporum canis causes a zoonosis that has increased in several countries, outnumbering classical anthropophilic dermatophytes. The objective of this study was to isolate dermatophytes from the hair coatof cats without skin disorders in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, south of Brazil, as well as evaluate the influenceof age, sex, hair length, habitat and access or not to the street as potential risk factors.Materials, Methods & Results: Samples were obtained from 191 cats with no skin disorders by rubbing sterilized carpetsquares on the cats’ skin (head, neck, dorsum, limbs and tail) and cultured for dermatophytes on Sabouraud dextrose agarwith chloramphenicol and cyclohexamide and incubated at 27°C for up to 21 days. Only the genus Microsporum (8,4%)was isolated from positive specimens: M. canis (5,8%) and M. gypseum (2,6%). On 15 samples (7,8%) there was no fungalgrowth. From the remaining 160 samples (83,8%), several saprotrophic fungi were isolated: hyaline filamentous fungi[Penicillium sp. (27), Aspergillus sp. (23), Scopulariopsis sp. (22), Acremonium sp. (10), Chrysosporium sp. (7), Paecilomyces sp. (7), Fusarium sp. (2) and unidentified hyalohyphomycetes (13)]; dematiaceous filamentous fungi [Cladosporiumsp. (39), Alternaria sp. (10), Curvularia sp. (10) and unidentified phaeohyphomycetes (14)]; Zygomycetes [Rhizopus sp.(2) and Mucor sp. (1)] and yeasts [Malassezia sp. (2) and Candida sp. (4)]. Inittialy, the possibility of association between predictors variables and a variable answer was evaluated by an univariate logistic regression model. Variables with...