Widespread occurrence of the amphibian chytrid panzootic lineage in Uruguay is constrained by climate.

The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes chytridiomycosis, a disease among the main causes of amphibian declines worldwide. However, Bd studies on Neotropical amphibians from temperate areas are scarce. We present a comprehensive survey of Bd in Uruguay, in temperate central eastern South America, carried out between 2006 and 2014. Skin swabs of 535 specimens of 21 native and exotic frogs were tested by PCR. We used individual-level data to examine the relationship between infection, climatic variables, and their effects on body condition and the number of prey items found in stomach contents. Infection was widespread in free-ranging anurans with an overall prevalence of 41.9%, detected in 15 native species, wild American bullfrogs Aquarana catesbeiana, and captive specimens of Ceratophrys ornata and Xenopus laevis. Three haplotypes of the Bd ITS region were identified in native amphibians, all belonging to the global panzootic lineage (BdGPL), of which only one was present in exotic hosts. Despite high infection frequencies in different anurans, we found no evidence of morbidity or mortality attributable to chytridiomycosis, and we observed no discernible impact on body condition or consumed prey. Climatic conditions at the time of our surveys suggested that the chance of infection is associated with monthly mean temperature, mean humidity, and total precipitation. Temperatures below 21°C combined with moderate humidity and pronounced rainfall may increase the likelihood of infection. Multiple haplotypes of BdGPL combined with high frequencies of infection suggest an enzootic pattern in native species, underscoring the need for continued monitoring.

Isolation of Microascus sp. and Cephalotheca sp. from Bats in Argentina.

Bats worldwide play significant roles in ecosystem functions, encompassing pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control while concurrently serving as diseases reservoirs. As part of a comprehensive wildlife health surveillance effort, bats were systematically sampled within two national protected areas in Argentina. During this study 67 bats were examined and samples were collected from eight Molossus spp. individuals exhibiting conspicuous yellowish or white lesions on their noses. All samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and lactrimel agar for fungal growth evaluation. Fungal isolates were identified using morphologic and molecular taxonomic techniques, leading to the detection of Microascus sp. in three Molossus rufus from Ibera National Park and Cephalotheca sp. in five Molossus molossus from Marsh Deer National Park. No fungal growth was identified in samples collected from the healthy hairs of the bats displaying lesions on their noses. The two fungi, which have not previously been isolated from bats, should be considered potentially pathogenic, evidenced by diseased hairs in the affected individuals.

Itraconazole in human medicine and veterinary practice.

Diagnosis and management of fungal infections are challenging in both animals and humans, especially in immunologically weakened hosts. Due to its broad spectrum and safety profile when compared to other antifungals, itraconazole (ITZ) has been widely used in the treatment and prophylaxis of fungal infections, both in human and veterinary medicine. The dose and duration of management depend on factors such as the type of fungal pathogen, the site of infection, sensitivity to ITZ, chronic stages of the disease, the health status of the hosts, pharmacological interactions with other medications and the therapeutic protocol used. In veterinary practice, ITZ doses generally vary between 3 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, once or twice a day. In humans, doses usually vary between 100 and 400 mg/day. As human and veterinary fungal infections are increasingly associated, and ITZ is one of the main medications used, this review addresses relevant aspects related to the use of this drug in both clinics, including case reports and different clinical aspects available in the literature.

Comparison of the antifungal activity of the pyrimidine analogs flucytosine and carmofur against human-pathogenic dematiaceous fungi.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) and pheohyphomycosis (PHM) are the most common implantation mycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi. In the past, flucytosine (5-FC) has been used to treat CBM, but development of resistance is common. Carmofur belongs to the same class as 5-FC and has in vitro inhibitory activity against the main agents of CBM and PHM. The aim of this study was to compare the action of these two pyrimidine analog drugs against CBM and PHM agents. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the selectivity index based on cytotoxicity tests of these two drugs against some agents of these mycoses were determined, with carmofur presenting a higher selectivity index than 5-FC. Carmofur demonstrated here synergistic interactions with itraconazole and amphotericin B against Exophiala heteromorpha, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Fonsecaea monophora, and Fonsecaea nubica strains. Additionally, carmofur plus itraconazole demonstrated here synergism against a Phialophora verrucosa strain. To evaluate the development of carmofur resistance, passages in culture medium containing subinhibitory concentrations of this pyrimidine analog were carried out, followed by in vitro susceptibility tests. Exophiala dermatitidis quickly developed resistance, whereas F. pedrosoi took seven passages in carmofur-supplemented medium to develop resistance. Moreover, resistance was permanent in E. dermatitidis but transient in F. pedrosoi. Hence, carmofur has exhibited certain advantages, albeit accompanied by limitations such as the development of resistance, which was expected as with 5-FC. This underscores its therapeutic potential in combination with other drugs, emphasizing the need for a meticulous evaluation of its application in the fight against dematiaceous fungi.

Water Pollution Increases the Risk of Chytridiomycosis in Mexican Amphibians.

Chytridiomycosis is affecting amphibians worldwide, causing the decline and extinction of several amphibian populations. The disease is caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a multihost pathogen living in freshwater habitats. While several environmental factors have been associated with the prevalence of Bd and its virulence, the effects of water quality on the pathogen are not clear yet. Some evidence suggests that water pollution may reduce amphibians' immune response and increase prevalence of Bd. To explore this hypothesis, we analyzed the relationship between water quality and the presence of Bd by using spatial data mining of 150 geolocations of Bd in amphibians from 9 families where Bd positive specimens have been previously reported, and water quality in 4,202 lentic and lotic water bodies in Mexico from 2010 to 2021. Our model showed that in the 3 main families where Bd was recorded, its presence is high in locations with low water quality, i.e., water polluted likely contaminated with urban and industrial waste. Using this model, we inferred areas suitable for Bd in Mexico; mainly in poorly studied areas along the gulf and on the pacific slope. We further argue that actions to reduce water pollution should become an integral part of public policies to prevent the spread of Bd and protect amphibians from this deadly pathogen.

Histopathological survey of free-ranging neotropical bats with dermatitis.

Bats have a fundamental ecological role, and no wildlife disease has decimated more individuals than white-nose syndrome (WNS). This impactful mycosis has raised the importance of monitoring disease threats to bat populations. In this study, we aimed to investigate gross skin lesions in neotropical bats by histopathology to survey the occurrence of dermatitis that could resemble WNS cases in Brazil. Eleven species of free-ranging bats were sampled from the rabies surveillance program in 9 municipalities of Northern Paraná. Members of the Molossidae family were the most frequent ones among the 126 analyzed individuals, and 4 cases of dermatitis in 2 black mastiff bats (Molossus rufus), 1 great fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus), and a big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) were detected. Gross lesions included alopecia, macules, discoloration, and hyperkeratosis. Among the bats with gross lesions, dermal thickening and mild inflammation were observed histologically. Two M. rufus bats had dermal fungal invasion; however, none resembled WNS.

First evidence of ranavirus in native and invasive amphibians in Colombia.

Ranaviruses can cause mass mortality events in amphibians, thereby becoming a threat to populations that are already facing dramatic declines. Ranaviruses affect all life stages and persist in multiple amphibian hosts. The detrimental effects of ranavirus infections to amphibian populations have already been observed in the UK and in North America. In Central and South America, the virus has been reported in several countries, but the presence of the genus Ranavirus (Rv) in Colombia is unknown. To help fill this knowledge gap, we surveyed for Rv in 60 species of frogs (including one invasive species) in Colombia. We also tested for co-infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in a subset of individuals. For Rv, we sampled 274 vouchered liver tissue samples collected between 2014 and 2019 from 41 localities covering lowlands to mountaintop páramo habitat across the country. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and end-point PCR, we detected Rv in 14 individuals from 8 localities, representing 6 species, including 5 native frogs of the genera Osornophryne, Pristimantis and Leptodactylus, and the invasive American bullfrog Rana catesbeiana. Bd was detected in 7 of 140 individuals, with 1 co-infection of Rv and Bd in an R. catesbeiana specimen collected in 2018. This constitutes the first report of ranavirus in Colombia and should set off alarms about this new emerging threat to amphibian populations in the country. Our findings provide some preliminary clues about how and when Rv may have spread and contribute to understanding how the pathogen is distributed globally.

Infections by entomopathogenic fungi in common green iguanas (Iguana iguana) in captivity in Brazil.

Entomopathogenic fungi, widely available biological agents used to control agricultural pests, are sporadically reported to cause focal or disseminated infection in reptiles and mammals, including humans. This study summarizes the clinical presentation, histopathological and molecular findings by panfungal polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of four cases of hypocrealean fungal infections in captive common green iguanas (Iguana, iguana). One case of granulomatous pneumonia, hepatitis and serositis was related to Metarhizium flavoviride complex infection. Two disseminated fungal infection cases, with scarce inflammatory cell infiltration, were caused by Beauveria bassiana while there was one case of multifocal granulomatous and necrotizing pneumonia by Purpureocillium spp. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of fatal mycosis infection due to entomopathogenic fungi in captive common green iguanas.

Fungal diseases in dogs and cats in Northeastern Brazil / Doenças fúngicas em cães e gatos no Nordeste do Brasil

In this retrospective study, the clinical and anatomopathological findings of fungal diseases in dogs and cats in Northeastern Brazil are described. During the study period, 6,827 histopathological examinations (4,090 necropsies and 2,737 biopsies) of companion animals were reviewed, and fungal infections were diagnosed in 54 cases. Of these, 32 cases were diagnosed in cats and 22 in dogs. Sporotrichosis was the most prevalent mycosis (19/54), followed by dermatophytosis (9/54), cryptococcosis (8/54), candidiasis (7/54), and phaeohyphomycosis (4/54). Other diseases had two cases each, including aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and histoplasmosis, whereas coccidioidomycosis occurred once. Mycoses were diagnosed through microscopic lesions associated with the histomorphological characteristics of the agent, as evidenced by routine and special histochemical stains. They were occasionally confirmed by immunohistochemistry and microbiological cultivation. This retrospective study showed that despite being uncommon, fungal diseases are important causes of death in dogs and cats in the region, with cats being the most affected species and sporotrichosis being the most prevalent mycosis. Clinical signs were correlated with the portal of entry of the infection associated with localized or disseminated superficial and deep skin lesions or affecting parenchymal organs, especially in systemic infections. Microscopic lesions were mainly characterized by pyogranulomatous inflammation associated with fungal structures. In dogs, mycoses occurred mainly owing to an immunological impairment secondary to canine distemper virus co-infection.

Neste estudo retrospectivo, são descritos os achados clínicos e anatomopatológicos das doenças fúngicas em cães e gatos no Nordeste do Brasil. Durante o período de estudo, foram revisados 6.827 exames histopatológicos (4.090 necropsias e 2.737 biópsias) de animais de companhia e diagnosticados 54 casos de infecções fúngicas. Destes, 32 casos foram diagnosticados em gatos e 22 em cães. A esporotricose foi a micose mais prevalente (19/54), seguida pela dermatofitose (9/54), criptococose (8/54), candidíase (7/54) e feo-hifomicose (4/54). Outras doenças tiveram dois casos cada, incluindo aspergilose, mucormicose e histoplasmose, enquanto a coccidioidomicose ocorreu uma vez. As micoses foram diagnosticadas por meio das lesões microscópicas associadas às características histomorfológicas do agente, evidenciadas pelas colorações de rotina e histoquímicas especiais, e ocasionalmente confirmadas pela imuno-histoquímica e cultivo microbiológico. Esse estudo retrospectivo demonstrou que apesar de incomuns, as doenças fúngicas são importantes causas de morte em cães e gatos da região, sendo os gatos a espécie mais afetada e a esporotricose, a micose mais prevalente. Os sinais clínicos estavam correlacionados com a porta de entrada da infecção, associados a lesões cutâneas localizadas ou disseminadas superficiais e profundas ou afetando órgãos parenquimatosos, especialmente em infecções sistêmicas. As lesões microscópicas eram caracterizadas principalmente por inflamação piogranulomatosa associada a estruturas fúngicas. Nos cães, as micoses ocorreram principalmente devido ao comprometimento imunológico secundária a coinfecção pelo vírus da cinomose canina.

Chytrid fungus in amphibians from the lowland Brazilian Amazon.

Infectious diseases are one of the main threats to biodiversity. The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is associated with several amphibian losses around the globe, and environmental conditions may dictate the success of pathogen spread. The Brazilian Amazon has been considered climatically unsuitable for chytrid fungus, but additional information on Bd dynamics in this ecoregion is still lacking. We sampled 462 amphibians (449 anurans, 4 caudatans and 9 caecilians), representing 57 species from the Brazilian Amazon, and quantified Bd infections using qPCR. We tested whether abiotic variables predicted the risk of Bd infections, and tested for relationships between biotic variables and Bd. Finally, we experimentally tested the effects of Bd strains CLFT 156 and CLFT 102 (from the southern and northern Atlantic Forest, respectively) on Atelopus manauensis. We detected higher Bd prevalence than those previously reported for the Brazilian Amazon, and positive individuals in all 3 orders of amphibians sampled. Both biotic and abiotic predictors were related to prevalence, and no variable explained infection load. Moreover, we detected higher Bd prevalence in forested than open areas, while the host's reproductive biology was not a factor. We detected higher mortality in the experimental group infected with CLFT 156, probably because this strain was isolated from a region characterized by discrepant climatic conditions (latitudinally more distant) when compared with the host's sampling site in Amazon. The lowland Brazilian Amazon is still underexplored and future studies targeting all amphibian orders are essential to better understand Bd infection dynamics in this region.

Histoplasmose felina / Feline histoplasmosis

A histoplasmose é uma doença zoonótica, causada por um fungo oportunista, chamado Histoplasma capsulatum. O fungo é endêmico de regiões subtropicais e temperadas, sendo sua presença relatada principalmente nas Américas, na Índia e no Sudoeste Asiático.Acredita-se que os casos de histoplasmose em gatos ainda sejam subestimados. No Brasil, a maioria dos casos relatados foram provenientes do estado do Ceará. A histoplasmose é considerada a segunda causa mais comum de afecção micótica sistêmica em gatos. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi relatar a ocorrência de um caso com resolução satisfatória em Fortaleza/Ceará. O animal apresentou histórico de espirros crônicos, secreção nasal e um aumento de volume na região nasal, além de um nódulo ulcerado no flanco direito. Foram solicitadas citologia e cultura da lesão, onde foram evidenciadas leveduras sugestivas de Histoplasma capsulatum. O tratamento escolhido foi itraconazol na dose de 100mg/gato, sendo administrada por via oral uma cápsula ao dia. Após 30 dias, o animal retornou ao consultório, apresentando uma melhora considerável, sem aumento de plano nasal, processo obstrutivo nasal e lesões de pele.

Histoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by an opportunistic fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. The fungus is endemic to subtropical and temperate regions, with its presence being reported mainly in the Americas, India, and Southeast Asia. It is believed that the cases of histoplasmosis in cats are still underestimated. In Brazil, most reported cases were from the state of Ceará. Histoplasmosis is considered the second most common cause of systemic mycotic disease in cats. Thus, the present study aimed to report the occurrence of a case with satisfactory resolution in Fortaleza/Ceará. The animal showed a history of chronic sneezing, nasal secretion, and an increase in volume in the nasal region, in addition to an ulcerated nodule on the right flank. Cytology and culture of the lesion were requested, where yeasts suggestive of Histoplasma capsulatum were evidenced. The chosen treatment was itraconazole at a dose of 100mg/cat, being administered orally one capsule a day. After 30 days, the animal returned to the clinic showing considerable improvement, without an increase in the nasal plane, nasal obstructive process, and skin lesions.

Pathological and etiological characterization of cases of bovine abortion due to sporadic bacterial and mycotic infections.

Opportunistic bacteria and fungi are commonly reported causes of bovine abortion in a small percentage of fetal losses of infectious etiology in cattle. The objective of this study was to characterize the pathological and etiological findings in fetuses aborted due to secondary bacterial and fungal infections submitted for postmortem examination between 2004 and 2019 in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Nineteen cases of bacterial etiology and five cases of fungal etiology were assessed. In cases of bacterial etiology, gross changes were uncommon and two different microscopic patterns were observed: (1) primary bronchopneumonia with occasional dissemination in cases of Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Mannheimia haemolytica infections; and (2) systemic disease with sepsis in cases of Escherichia coli and Listeria sp. infections. Aspergillus sp. was the main fungal agent identified, and cases of mycotic abortion were characterized by placentitis, dermatitis, and pneumonia. Fetal membranes were available for examination in less than half of the submissions (11/24), and placental lesions were observed in all cases. This study reaffirms the importance of postmortem examinations in the determination of causes of fetal loss in cattle and highlights pathological findings commonly observed in fetuses aborted due to sporadic bacterial and fungal agents.

Presence of invasive American bullfrogs may reduce infectious disease in a native frog species.

Amphibians breeding in aquatic environments may encounter a myriad of threats during their life cycle. One species known to prey on native amphibians in aquatic habitats is the invasive North American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus, which, besides being a voracious predator and competitor, often acts as a pathogen carrier and disease superspreader because it tolerates high infection loads of the frog-killing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Here, we hypothesized that the presence of the bullfrogs in microcosms should either (1) decrease Bd disease severity in native frog species by discouraging them from using the aquatic environment, or (2) increase the mortality of the native species. We tested these 2 mutually exclusive hypotheses by co-housing the snouted treefrog Scinax x-signatus (native to our study area) with L. catesbeianus in the laboratory, exposing them to Bd, and using qPCR analysis to quantify the resulting Bd infection loads in the native frogs. Our experiment had the following replicated treatments: (1) native-only treatment (3 individuals of S. x-signatus), (2) native-predominant treatment (2 S. x-signatus + 1 L. catesbeianus), and (3) exotic-predominant treatment (1 S. x-signatus + 2 L. catesbeianus). We found that Bd infection loads in the native S. x-signatus were highest in the native-only treatment, and lowest in the exotic-predominant treatment, indicating that bullfrogs may discourage native frogs from occupying the aquatic habitat, thus reducing encounter rates between native frogs and the waterborne pathogen. This effect could be driven by the bullfrogs' predatory behavior and their high philopatry to aquatic habitats. Our results highlight that predation risk adds to the complexity of host-species interactions in Bd epidemiology.

The current state of Clinical Mycology in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.

The ability of medical centers in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe to diagnose and treat fungal infections remains unknown. In order to investigate that, here we conducted a cross-sectional online survey, released at both The International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) and European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) websites. A total of 31 institutions responded to the questionnaire. Most centers (87.1%, n = 27) had access to Aspergillus spp. ELISA galactomannan testing as well as to Cryptococcus spp. antigen testing (83.9%, n = 26). Serological tests were mostly available for Aspergillus species (80.6%, n = 25); and most institutions reported access to mold-active antifungal drugs (83.9%; n = 26), but 5-flucytosine was available to only 29% (n = 9) of the participant centers. In conclusion, this study represents the first attempt to document the strengths and limitations of the Eastern and South-Eastern European region for diagnosing and treating fungal diseases. LAY SUMMARY: Our article is about the availability of diagnostic and treatments tools related to fungal infections in the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern region. Surveys like these are important to understand the gaps and point towards the fungal infections as a global health issue.

Habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is associated with erosion of frog immunogenetic diversity and increased fungal infections.

Habitat fragmentation and infectious diseases threaten wildlife globally, but the interactions of these threats are poorly understood. For instance, while habitat fragmentation can impact genetic diversity at neutral loci, the impacts on disease-relevant loci are less well-studied. We examined the effects of habitat fragmentation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest on amphibian genetic diversity at an immune locus related to antigen presentation and detection (MHC IIB Exon 2). We used a custom high-throughput assay to sequence a fragment of MHC IIB and quantified Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infections in six frog species in two Atlantic Forest regions. Habitat fragmentation was associated with genetic erosion at MHC IIB Exon 2. This erosion was most severe in forest specialists. Significant Bd infections were detected only in one Atlantic Forest region, potentially due to relatively higher elevation. In this region, forest specialists showed an increase in both Bd prevalence and infection loads in fragmented habitats. Reduced population-level MHC IIB diversity was associated with increased Bd infection risk. On the individual level, MHC IIB heterozygotes exhibited a trend toward reduced Bd infection risk, although this was marginally non-significant. Our results suggest that habitat fragmentation increases Bd infection susceptibility in amphibians, mediated at least in part through erosion of immunogenetic diversity. Our findings have implications for management of fragmented populations in the face of emerging infectious diseases.

Systemic phaeohyphomycosis in a dog caused by Cladophialophora bantiana

Background: Cladophialophora bantiana is a dematiaceous fungus that causes phaeohyphomycosis, a generic term used to describe a variety of unusual mycoses caused by fungi that have melanin in their cell wall. C. bantiana targets the central nervous system, commonly causing localized brain infections that may result in disseminated infections. In Brazil, minimal phaeohyphomycosis data are available, and information about C. bantiana infections in animals, especially canines, is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the clinical and pathological aspects of systemic phaeohyphomycosis caused by C. bantiana in a dog. Case: A 1-year-old female Pit Bull presented with weight loss, reduced appetite, and a history of cutaneous lesions on the right thoracic limb; however, clinical evolution was not reported. The bitch had reportedly given birth recently. Physical examination revealed thinness, pale ocular and oral mucosa, submandibular lymph nodes, and enlarged popliteal lymph nodes. The bitch died after convulsive crises during hospitalization. At necropsy, white-yellowish multifocal nodules were observed in the liver and right kidney. The brain featured left cerebral hemisphere asymmetry with blood vessel congestion in the leptomeninges and an irregular brownish focal area on the surface of the right occipital cortex. Cross-sections of the formalin-fi xed brain exhibited compression of the left lateral ventricle and the presence of grayish and friable multifocal areas in the gray matter of the left parietal and right occipital cortices. Fragments of the lesions were collected for histopathological and microbiological examination. Histologically, the lesions were similar, characterized by hepatitis, nephritis, and granulomatous and necrotizing...

Interpopulation differences in male reproductive effort drive the population dynamics of a host exposed to an emerging fungal pathogen.

Compensatory recruitment is a key demographic mechanism that has allowed the coexistence of populations of susceptible amphibians with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungus causing one of the most devastating emerging infectious disease ever recorded among vertebrates. However, the underlying processes (e.g. density-dependent increase in survival at early life stages, change in reproductive traits) as well as the level of interpopulation variation in this response are poorly known. We explore potential mechanisms of compensatory recruitment in response to Bd infection by taking advantage of an amphibian system where male reproductive traits are easy to quantify in free-living populations. The Southern Darwin's frog Rhinoderma darwinii is a vocal sac-brooding species that exhibits a high susceptibility to lethal Bd infection. Using a 7-year capture-recapture study at four populations with contrasting Bd infection status (one high prevalence, one low prevalence and two Bd-free populations), we evaluated whether Bd-positive populations exhibited a higher adult recruitment and a higher male reproductive effort than Bd-negative populations. We also estimated population growth rates to explore whether recruitment compensated for the negative impacts of Bd on the survival of adults. In addition, we evaluated a potential demographic signal of compensatory recruitment (i.e. positive relationship between the proportion of juveniles and Bd prevalence) in response to Bd infection using raw count data from 13 R. darwinii populations. The high Bd prevalence population exhibited the highest male reproductive effort and the highest recruitment among the four monitored populations. This led to a growing population during the study period despite high mortality of adult hosts. In contrast, males from the population with low Bd prevalence had a low reproductive effort and this population, which had the lowest adult recruitment, was declining during the study period despite adults having a higher survival in comparison to the high Bd prevalence population. We also found a demographic signal of compensatory recruitment in response to Bd infection in our broader analysis of 13 R. darwinii populations. Our study underlines the importance of interpopulation variation in life-history strategies on the fate of host populations after infectious disease emergence. Our results also suggest that an increase in reproductive effort can be one of the processes underlying compensatory recruitment in populations of Bd-susceptible amphibians.

The Last South American Redoubt? Tested Surinamese Anurans Still Chytrid Free.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus infecting amphibians' cutaneous layer, is responsible for the greatest contemporary loss of amphibian biodiversity. In South America, Suriname is one of the only three countries where B. dendrobatidis infections of anurans (frogs and toads) have not been documented. To further examine this apparent gap in pathogen occurrence, frogs were sampled for B. dendrobatidis spores at eight disparate geographic locations in Suriname, including locations with high and low levels of anthropogenic activities, and near Suriname's border with Brazil and French Guiana, countries where B. dendrobatidis infections have been documented. None of the 347 frogs sampled, representing 37 species from eight families, tested positive for B. dendrobatidis. Our results provide the baseline data for future comparative testing and one of the last opportunities for a country in South America to proactively plan mitigation measures to protect amphibians from B. dendrobatidis' presumed eventual incursion into Suriname.

Filamentous fungi occurrence on Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) present in an Atlantic Forest remnant in southern Brazil / Ocorrência de fungos filamentosos em Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) presentes em um remanescente da Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil

The bats usually inhabit shelters with favorable conditions for fungal proliferation, including pathogenic and opportunistic species. The fungal diversity present on bats is little known and the studies are scarce in Brazil, which only a work has been performed in Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was evaluating the occurrence of filamentous fungi on the rostral region of Molossus molossus in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets installed outside a shelter located in the municipality of Treviso, (28°29'23S and 49°31'23W), south region of state Santa Catarina. With a swab sterile moistened in saline solution, samples from the rostral region were obtained from all captured M. molossus individuals. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis and isolation in different culture media, followed of identification of fungal through the microculture technique. In total, 15 individuals were captured, which five fungal genus and 19 taxa were identified. Among the taxa registered, Aspergillioides sp.2, (47%), Penicillium sp.1 (33%), Chrysonilia sp. (33%), Cladosporium sp. (27%) were classified as little constant. In terms of abundance, Penicillium sp.1 (34%), Aspergillioides sp.2 (21%) and Aspergillus sp.2 (11%) were the most abundant in the samples. The results showed the occurrence of high diversity fungal in the rostral region of M. molossus in the Atlantic Forest, which is higher than observed in others Brazilian biomes. Some fungal genera found may harbor pathogenic and opportunistic species that need to be identified for preventing potential disease well as for bat conservation projects.(AU)

Os morcegos comumente abrigam-se em locais com condições favoráveis para proliferação fúngica, incluindo espécies patogênicas e oportunistas. A diversidade fúngica presente nos morcegos é pouco conhecida e os estudos são escassos no Brasil, no qual apenas um trabalho tem sido realizado nos biomas do Cerrado e Pantanal. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de fungos filamentosos na região rostral de Molossus molossus em um remanescente da Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil. Os morcegos foram capturados com redes-de-neblina instaladas na saída de um abrigo localizado no município de Treviso (28°29'23S e 49°31'23W), região sul do estado de Santa Catarina. Com um swab esterilizado e umedecido em solução salina, amostras da região rostral foram obtidas de todos os indivíduos de M. molossus capturados. As amostras foram levadas ao laboratório para análise e isolamento em diferentes meios de cultura, seguido de identificação taxonômica fúngica pela técnica de microcultivo. No total, 15 indivíduos foram capturados, nos quais 5 gêneros fúngicos e 19 taxa foram identificados. Dentre os taxa registrados foram classificados como pouco constante Aspergillioides sp.2, (47%), Penicillium sp.1 (33%), Chrysonilia sp. (33%), Cladosporium sp. (27%). Em termos de abundância, Penicillium sp.1 (34%), Aspergillioides sp.2 (21%) e Aspergillus sp.2 (11%) foram os mais abundantes nas amostras. Os resultados mostraram ocorrência de elevada riqueza de fungos na região rostral de M. molossus na Mata Atlântica, riqueza essa que é superior àquela observada para outros biomas brasileiros. Alguns gêneros fúngicos encontrados podem abrigar espécies patogênicas e oportunistas que precisam ser identificadas tanto para prevenir potenciais doenças, assim como, para os projetos de conservação dos morcegos.(AU)

Dermatofitose em cães e gatos: aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico e tratamento / Dermatophytosis in dogs and cats: clinical, diagnosis and treatment aspects / Dermatofitosis en perros y gatos: aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico y tratamiento

La dermatofitosis es una dermatopatía caracterizada por una infección superficial de la piel que comúnmente afecta a perros, gatos y otros animales domésticos. Existen más de 30 especies de dermatofitos reconocidos, que se clasifican en 3 géneros anamórficos: Microsporum, Trichophyton y Epidermophyton. A partir de esta información, el objetivo de esta revisión fue caracterizar los principales agentes causantes de la dermatofitosis en perros y gatos, así como sus implicaciones clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Así, luego de analizar la literatura, se pudo notar que la dermatofitosis es una enfermedad infecciosa de la piel frecuentemente detectada en la clínica de pequeños animales y su principal agente causal es el hongo Microsporum canis. Los signos clínicos son variables e implican principalmente alopecia, descamación y costras, que pueden ser focales, multifocales o generalizadas. El diagnóstico de dermatofitosis se puede realizar clínicamente, pero está indicado realizar cultivo micológico. Finalmente, el tratamiento más adecuado incluye el uso concomitante y asociado de antifúngicos tópicos y sistémicos.(AU)

Dermatophytosis is a dermatopathy characterized by a superficial infection of the skin that commonly affects dogs, cats and other domestic animals. There are more than 30 species of recognized dermatophytes, being classified into 3 anamorphic genera: Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. Based on this information, the objective of this review was to characterize the main causative agents of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats, as well as their clinical implications, diagnosis and treatment. Thus, after analyzing the literature, it was possible to notice that dermatophytosis is an infectious skin disease frequently detected in the clinic of small animals and its main causative agent is the fungus Microsporum canis. Clinical signs are variable and mainly involve alopecia, peeling and scabs, which can be focal, multifocal or generalized. The diagnosis of dermatophytosis can be made clinically, but it is indicated to perform mycological culture. Finally, the most suitable treatment includes the concomitant and associated use of topical and systemic antifungals.(AU)

A dermatofitose é uma dermatopatia caracterizada por uma infecção superficial da pele que comumente acomete cães, gatos e outros animais domésticos. Existem mais de 30 espécies de dermatófitos reconhecidas, sendo classificadas em 3 gêneros anamórficos: Microsporum, Trichophyton e Epidermophyton. Com base nessas informações, o objetivo nesta revisão foi caracterizar os principais agentes causadores de dermatofitoses em cães e gatos, bem como suas implicações clínicas, diagnóstico e tratamento. Assim, após a análise da literatura foi possível perceber que a dermatofitose é uma doença de pele infecciosa frequentemente detectada na clínica de pequenos animais e tem como principal agente causador o fungo Microsporum canis. Os sinais clínicos são variáveis e principalmente envolvem alopecia, descamação e crostas, que podem ser focais, multifocais ou generalizadas. O diagnóstico da dermatofitose pode ser feito clinicamente, mas é indicado realizar cultura micológica. Por fim, o tratamento mais indicado inclui o uso concomitante e associado de antifúngicos tópicos e sistêmicos.(AU)