[Histoplasmosis in two badgers (Meles meles) in northern Germany]. / Histoplasmose bei zwei Dachsen (Meles meles) in Norddeutschland.

An infection with Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in two wild badgers (Meles meles) in northern Germany, which was predominantly localized in the skin and the regional lymph nodes. The yeast-like fungi were identified in tissue sections using histological and immunohistological methods.

Granulomatous skin lesions due to histoplasmosis in a badger (Meles meles) in Austria.

We describe the first case of histoplasmosis due to infection with Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum in a wild badger (Meles meles) in Austria. Diagnosis was established by histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of yeast forms in skin lesions and lymph nodes. Although Austria has yet to be regarded as an endemic region for H. capsulatum, infections of animals and humans exposed to contaminated soil cannot be excluded.

Indoor survey of moulds and prevalence of mould atopy in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Moulds are ubiquitous indoor as well as outdoor allergens and therefore potential candidates for indoor environmental control measures. However, very few studies have been performed to examine the significance of indoor moulds in allergic diseases and the effectiveness of measures to reduce the quantity of indoor moulds has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance and the contribution of moulds to allergic manifestations. METHODS: Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in 395 members of a rural community were examined by questionnaire and examination of medical files. The atopic status in general and allergy to moulds was determined by skin-prick tests (SPTs) to a panel of aeroallergens including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. A study of indoor mould levels was performed by placing SDA plates in 59 houses. The type of fungi and the number of colonies from each species were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-two subjects, comprising 10.9% of the study group had positive SPT to moulds, 61.9% of those were classified as symptomatic. When taking into account individuals with a borderline positive SPT to moulds, an additional 23 had positive results. Of the 65 mould-positive subjects, 48% were symptomatic and of the 13 who were allergic to moulds alone, only two had allergic symptoms. Viable moulds were recovered from all 59 houses examined. The most common isolated genus was Aspergillus, followed by Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Aspergillus was also the most abundant mould in houses. There was no significant correlation between the abundance of moulds, positive SPT to that mould and symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Viable moulds are common in houses in temperate climates. Allergy to moulds itself has a low predictive value to development of allergic symptoms, but allergy to moulds in otherwise atopic subjects increases the risk of symptomatic allergic disease.

Fungal infections of the cardiovascular system--a review.

Various yeasts and filamentous fungal infections of human and animal heart and blood vessels, as well as the experimental investigations, are reviewed. Clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and pathological aspects are discussed. The prevalence of mycotic infection of the heart, once considered to be an uncommon disease, has been reported frequently during recent years. The rate will certainly be higher if cases are more thoroughly investigated.

Subcutaneous mycosis in a cat due to Staphylotrichum coccosporum.

A 5.5-year-old, male, feline leucosis virus-positive cat developed a concurrent dermatophytosis due to Microsporum canis and a subcutaneous infection due to Staphylotrichum coccosporum. St. coccosporum caused mycetoma-like lesions. The fungal elements revealed features like those seen in phaeohyphomycosis. Until now St. coccosporum has been described to be non-pathogenic. The pathogenicity of St. coccosporum was corroborated by experimental infection.

The fungal flora of zoo animals' ears.

The mycotic flora of the ears of zoo animals was investigated in a large zoological garden in Germany. Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated from the following animals: big ant-eater, brown bear, common wombat, Eurasian badger, Indian elephant, Mangaliza pig and wide-mouthed rhinoceros. Aspergillus and Penicillium species, yeasts and zygomycetes were also isolated from some animals.

Use of azole compounds for the treatment of experimental aspergillosis in turkeys.

A model for aspergillosis by injecting fungal spores into the lung is described. The model permits evaluation of anti-mycotic agents and their effect on the development of lesions in the infected lung, the spreading to the second lung and other organs. The therapeutic effect of the azole compounds enilconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and levamisole was determined. Itraconazole was found to be the most effective.

Aspergillosis in ostriches.

A severe case of aspergillosis was observed in a flock of 3- to 8-week-old ostriches at a farm in Israel. A. niger and A. flavus were isolated from the lungs of affected ostriches. A heavy contamination with both fungi was detected in the hatchery, suggesting a brooder borne infection. The clinical and pathological findings observed in this case are described.

Malassezia pachydermatis isolation from a scarlet macaw.

A repeated isolation of Malassezia pachydermatis Weidman from a scarlet macaw is reported. This is the first report of birds infected with this yeast.

Upper respiratory tract infection in mouse and rats.

Spontaneous aspergilloma in the para-nasal cavities of 2 rats, and a chronic granuloma with grains, caused by Gram-positive cocci in the maxillary sinus of a mouse, are reported.

Cryptococcosis of the nasopharynx in mice and rats.

An attempt to infect the upper respiratory tract of mice and rats with various bacteria and fungi by intranasally instillation was performed. Cryptococcus neoformans was the only agent to invade the tissue. The infection was limited to the nasopharynx, a phenomenon which probably indicates the presence of a specific chemotaxis or receptor.

Parsley-induced photosensitivity in ostriches and ducks.

Clinical and pathological changes suggesting an acute case of photo-sensitivity were observed in a flock of ostriches. A preliminary diagnosis of parsley (Petroselinum sativum)-induced photosensitisation was confirmed by experimental reproduction of the typical lesions in ducks. This seems to be the first report on natural and experimental induction of photosensitivity in ostriches and ducks caused by the ingestion of parsley.

Dermatophytosis of camels.

A survey of ringworm in camels showed over 25% of young animals suffered from T. verrucosum infection, and fewer than 0.5% of the camels had T. mentagrophytes. Amino acid analyses of hair samples taken from human, camel and cow showed the compositions were similar to within 11%.