Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Aureobasidium pullulans infection in a dog

A case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a dog with an ulcerative lesion on the right limb during a post-operative period of castration was described for the first time. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fungal colonies growth on the Sabouraud­dextrose agar were detailed. The fungus was identified as Aureobasidium pullulans on the basis of the phenotypic analysis, which was confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region of rDNA. The patient might have acquired the infection through traumatic inoculation by environmental contact, along with the immunological condition during the stressful period of postoperative. The spontaneous remission of the lesion was observed in five weeks without antifungal treatment. This work highlights the importance of considering the pathogenic potential of this environmental fungus and the need of including it in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions in dogs.

Human sporotrichosis outbreak caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in a veterinary hospital in Southern Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is a mycotic disease caused by Sporothrix spp., whose zoonotic transmission by sick cats is the main infection route in Brazil. The aim of the current study is to report a human sporotrichosis outbreak caused by zoonotic transmission from a feline, with emphasis on the importance of making differential diagnosis and of using personal protective equipment. A hospital team member presented injury in the arm after having handled a cat that had been hospitalized for being hit by a car. The animal presented skin lacerations, myiasis, and full tibial fracture - there were no other signs of skin lesions. Clinical samples were collected from both the human and the suspected cat, for mycological culture; results have shown Sporothrix sp. growth. A search was conducted to identify other hospital team members who also had contact with the animal. Other six individuals also had suspected lesions in their arms, hands and ocular area; they were all subjected to sample collection. Mycological results have also confirmed Sporothrix spp.; sequencing analysis has shown that all seven humans were infected with Sporothrix brasiliensis. Since Southern Brazil is endemic of this disease, it is worth emphasizing the importance of taking into consideration zoonotic risks at the time to provide emergency care to stray animals, mainly felines, as well as of using Personal Protective Equipment while handling them - regardless of whether they present, or not, typical clinical symptoms or history of the disease, given the potential zoonotic risk posed by Sporothrix brasiliensis.

Feline sporotrichosis: a case series of itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis infection.

The treatment of feline sporotrichosis is a challenge for veterinary clinicians since refractory cases may occur, due either to patient and/or to pharmacological management errors or due to the development of antifungal resistance. Thus, we aimed to describe the therapeutic history of feline cases infected by itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis in an endemic region of Southern Brazil. Medical records of cats attended at the Veterinary Clinic Hospital (Pelotas/RS, Brazil) between 2016 and 2017 were reviewed. Twelve cases of infection by S. brasiliensis with that showed high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (≥ 4 µg/mL) to itraconazole by M38-A2 of CLSI were selected. At the hospital consultation, disseminated (cats 1-l0, 12) and localized (cat 11) skin lesions remained in the cats, even after treatment with fluconazole, ketoconazole (02/12), and itraconazole (ITZ, 09/12) performed before this study. High doses (25-100 mg/kg/day) of ITZ for up to 4 months (03/12, cats 2, 6, 12) or over 12 months (05/12, cats 1, 5, 7, 8, 11) did not provide a clinical cure, except for the association of ITZ plus potassium iodide (01/12, cat 12) for 3 months, which proved useful in infections with itraconazole-resistant S. brasiliensis. However, the combined issues of abandonment of therapy by owners for financial reasons, difficulties surrounding therapy administration (03/12, cats 6, 11, 12), and the inappropriate choice of medication (01/12, cat 6), together reflect the reality of this endemic region, which greatly compromises clinical healing. This study highlighted the occurrence of refractory cases by itraconazole-resistant S. brasiliensis in cats from Southern Brazil, as well as the abandonment of treatment and therapeutic errors. We warn of the need for antifungal susceptibility tests to adapt therapeutic protocols in feline sporotrichosis.

First isolation of the Stephanoascus ciferrii in feline otitis in Brazil.

Ear infections in cats are uncommon, especially involving yeasts. This report describes the first isolation of the Stephanoascus ciferrii, teleomorph of the Candida genus, in a case of feline otitis in Brazil. The identification and characterization of Stephanoascus ciferrii were confirmed by the Vitek2 System (BioMerieux ®).

First isolation of the Stephanoascus ciferrii in feline otitis in Brazil

Ear infections in cats are uncommon, especially involving yeasts. This report describes the first isolation of the Stephanoascus ciferrii, teleomorph of the Candida genus, in a case of feline otitis in Brazil. The identification and characterization of Stephanoascus ciferrii were confirmed by the Vitek2 System (BioMerieux ®).

The use of (1-3) ß-glucan along with itraconazole against canine refractory sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis, caused by the Sporothrix schenckii fungal complex, is a zoonotic mycosis distributed worldwide. Itraconazole is the treatment of choice for domestic animals although some fungal isolates have shown resistance to this drug. The objective of this study was to report, for the first time, the use of (1-3) ß-glucan along with itraconazole in the treatment of a canine with sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. The animal had ulcerated and crusted lesions, especially on the nasal planum. Clinical samples were collected for a complete blood count, cytological analysis of the lesion, and fungal culture. Based on the results of the laboratory examination, and after the fungal culture, antibiotic therapy and treatment with itraconazole were initiated. Two additional fungal cultures were performed, which were positive. After 7 months of the animal treatment with itraconazole, the S. brasiliensis culture was still positive, so that the itraconazole was associated with (1-3) ß-glucan. After four weekly applications of glucan, the complete elimination of the fungus was observed based on the fungal culture negative results. The results show, therefore, that (1-3) ß-glucan with itraconazole promoted the case resolution, and it may be considered a promising alternative for the treatment of sporotrichosis in cases of resistance to conventional therapy.

Microsporose mista canina - relato e caso / Microporosis mixta canina ? relato de caso / Canine mcrosporose mixed - case report

Dermatofitoses são micoses causadas por fungos como: Epidermophyton, Microsporum e Trichophyton. M. canis e M. gypseum são os principais responsáveis pelas infecções dermatofíticas em pequenos animais e acometem principalmente animais jovens. Essas micoses cursam com lesões nas camadas queratinizadas da pele e pelos e em infecções mistas, a intensidade das lesões pode ser aumentada, pois os agentes causais atuam potencializando o quadro clínico. Descreve-se um caso de microsporose mista canina em um filhote de cão da raça Rottweiler. Um canino da raça Rottweiller atendido em uma clínica particular, pois apresentava lesões alopécicas e descamativas em diferentes sítios do corpo. Foi realizada coleta por meio de raspado cutâneo e o material foi encaminhado para exame micológico. O exame direto do pelo revelou estruturas características de dermatofitose com hifas artrosporadas e aglomerados de artroconídeos. O cultivo micológico resultou em crescimento de colônias fúngicas sugestivas de M. gypseum e M. canis nos meios de cultura semeados com confirmação das características macro e micromorfológicas das duas diferentes espécies fúngicas. Assim, mediante processamento micológico estabeleceu-se, juntamente com o histórico do caso, o diagnóstico de microsporose mista canina. Desse modo, conclui-se a necessidade de exames laboratoriais para a confirmação do diagnóstico definitivo de dermatofitose, sendo a profilaxia, prevenção, controle e potencial zoonótico dessa micose dependente da espécie infectante, tendo importância o seu controle também por seu impacto em saúde pública.

Dermatophytosis mycoses are caused by fungi such as Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton. M. canis and M. gypseum are the main responsible for dermatophytic infections in small animals and affect mainly young animals. These mycoses occur with lesions in the keratinized layers of the skin and the mixed infections and the intensity of the lesions can be increased because the causative agents act enhancing the clinical picture. We describe a case of mixed microsporose dog in a puppy dog breed Rottweiler. A canine breed Rottweiller served in a private clinic because he had alopecia, scaly lesions at different body sites. It was collected through skin scrapings and the material was sent for mycological examination. Direct examination of the structures revealed by the characteristics of dermatophytosis with of hyphae artrosporadas and arthroconidia clusters. The mycological cultivation resulted in growth of fungal colonies suggestive of M. canis and M. gypseum in culture media seeded with confirmation of macro and micromorphological characteristics of the two different fungal species. Thus, by processing mycological established together with the case history, the diagnosis of canine microsporose mixed. Through the described case is concluded the need for laboratory tests to confirm the definitive diagnosis of dermatophytosis and prophylaxis, prevention, control and zoonotic potential of this mycosis dependent on the infecting species, taking control of the same importance also for their impact on public health.

Dermatofitosis son micosis causadas por hongos como: Epidermophyton, Microsporum y Trichophyton. M.canis y M. gypseum que son los principales responsables en las infecciones por dermatofitos en animales pequeños y afectan principalmente animales jóvenes. Esas micosis se producen con lesiones en las capas queratinizadas de la piel, pelos y en infecciones mixtas, la intensidad de las lesiones puede ser aumentada, pues los agentes causantes actúan potencializando el cuadro clínico. Se describe un caso de microsporosis mixta canina en un cachorro de perro de la raza Rottweiller. Un canino de la raza Rottweiller atendido en una clínica privada que presentaba lesiones de alopecia y lesiones escamosas en diferentes partes del cuerpo. Se realizó recolección por medio de raspado cutáneo y el material fue enviado para examen micológico. El examen directo del pelo reveló estructuras características de dermatofitosis hifas artrosporadas y aglomerados de artroconidios. El cultivo micológico resultó en crecimiento de colonias fúngicas sugestivas de M. gypseum y M canis en los medios de cultura sembrados, con confirmación de características macro y micro morfológicas de dos especies fúngicas. Así, mediante procesamiento micológico establecido junto con el histórico del caso, el diagnóstico de microsporosis mixta canina. Se concluye la necesidad de exámenes de laboratorio para confirmación del diagnóstico definitivo de dermatofitosis, siendo que la profilaxis, prevención, control y potencial zoonótico de esa micosis depende de la especie infectante, siendo importante su control por el impacto que causa a la salud pública.