Molecular characterization of Ancylostoma braziliense larvae in a patient with hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans.

We report a case of hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans diagnosed microscopically. Viable hookworm larvae were found by microscopic examination of a skin scraping from follicular lesions. Amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 allowed the specific identification of the larvae as Ancylostoma braziliense.

Malassezia dermatitis in dogs in Brazil: diagnosis, evaluation of clinical signs and molecular identification.

Skin carriage and quantification of Malassezia yeasts were evaluated in 180 healthy dogs (group 1) and 117 dogs with clinical signs (pruritus, erythema, lichenification/seborrhoea, excoriations and alopecia) that could be related to Malassezia dermatitis (group 2) in Brazil. The lesions in the group 2 dogs were evaluated using CADESI-03 scores. Samples were collected from five different anatomical areas. Direct examination was performed using the tape strip technique, and results were expressed as the mean number of yeasts per ×1000 microscopic field per dog. For mycological culture, a single piece of sterilized carpet was applied to the same areas sampled for cytology, and transferred onto Dixon's modified medium. Yeast populations were expressed as mean colony forming units (CFU)/plate. Malassezia isolates were characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease analysis of the large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal RNA gene. The probability of culturing Malassezia from dogs with skin lesions was significantly higher (P<0.001) than from healthy dogs. There was a linear trend between CADESI-03 score and mean CFU/plate. Group 2 dogs with positive cultures had higher CADESI-03 scores than those with negative cultures (P<0.05). Almost all isolates were identified as Malassezia pachydermatis. Only one isolate (group 2) was identified as Malassezia furfur. These data suggest that dogs with skin disorders harbouring Malassezia yeasts in quantities higher than 120 mean CFU/plate should be considered as having Malassezia dermatitis. The presence of Malassezia appears to exacerbate clinical lesions in dogs.

Immunohistochemical and ultra-structural detection of Pneumocystis in wild boars (Sus scrofa) co-infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in Southern Brazil.

Pneumocystis spp. are fungi that are able to infect a variety of host species and, occasionally, lead to severe pneumonia. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an important viral pathogen which affects both swine and wild boar herds worldwide. Co-infection between PCV2 and other pathogens has been reported, and the secondary immunodeficiency caused by the virus may predispose to these co-infections. In the present study, postmortem tissue samples obtained from wild boar herds in Southern Brazil were analyzed by histopathology, ultra-structural observation, and immunohistochemistry. Forty-seven out of seventy-eight (60%) wild boars showed clinical signs, gross, and histopathological lesions characteristic of infection by PCV2. Pneumocystis was detected by immunohistochemistry in 39 (50%) lungs and viral antigens of PCV2 were found in 29 (37.2%) samples. Concomitant presence of Pneumocystis and PCV2 were observed in 16 (20.5%) of the wild boars. Cystic and trophic forms of Pneumocystis were similar to previously described ultra-structural observations in other mammals.

Canine sinonasal Aspergillosis

Background: Sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) is the second most common cause of nasal discharge in dogs. The diagnosis is confirmed through anamnesis, physical and complementary exams. Aspergillus fumigatus is the species most frequently isolated from dogs with fungal involvement of the upper respiratory tract. Canine SNA is a disease with worldwide distribution but, surprisingly, the disease has never been described in Brazil. The prognosis of SNA is usually good. The objective of this report is to describe the first case of canine sinonasal aspergillosis in Brazil. Case: A 18-months old, male, Rottweiler breed dog was referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, for purulent nasal discharge, variably bloody, and sneezing of approximately 6 months duration. During this period, the dog was treated with various antibiotics with no success and lost 10 kg of corporal mass. The alterations found in the physical exam were bilateral sanguinopurulent nasal discharge, depigmentation of nose and paranasal region, as well as subnutrition. The dog was anesthetized and sinus and chest x-rays were performed (latero-lateral and ventrodorsal positions). In the radiographic analysis, it was verified the lessening of radiolucency on the left nostril, indicating the destruction of the nasal concha. The chest radiographies did not show alterations. A rhinoscopy was carried out showing destruction in the endoturbinate, purulent discharge and presence of a dark color mass in the frontal sinus, which was collected for histopathological and microbiological culture exams. Histopathologic examination revealed the presence of hyaline, branching septate hyphae, consistent with Aspergillus spp. and inflammatory cells. Culture identified Aspergillus fumigatus. Bacteriological culture was negative. Antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus were detected by counter electrosyneresis. The haemogram showed lymphocytosis and monocytosis. The dog was treated with itraconazole (5 mg/kg of body weight, orally, twice a day for 30 days). After this period, nasal discharge decreased and a good repigmentation was observed with the dog showing improvement of his appetite and energy level. Discussion: The presence of antibodies to Aspergillus spp. does not always confirm canine nasal aspergillosis. Serological tests can yield 5% to 15% false positive results in dogs. Therefore, it is necessary to perform complementary exams such as radiography, rhinoscopy, histopathology and fungal culture in order to confirm the diagnosis. For many years, aspergillosis was considered as an incurable chronic rhinitis characterized by the turbinate destruction, nasal discharge and intermittent epistaxis. The reported prevalence of canine SNA in animals affected by disorders in the upper respiratory may range from 7 to 34%. Consequently, predisposed animals (like dolichocephalic dogs) are serious candidates to develop nasal aspergillosis that, in many cases, may be not diagnosed. This first report of canine sinonasal aspergillosis in Brazil reinforces the importance of consider this disease as a differential diagnosis in cases of nasal disease in dogs with clinical rhinosinusitis mainly in tropical countries.

Canine sinonasal Aspergillosis

Background: Sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) is the second most common cause of nasal discharge in dogs. The diagnosis is confirmed through anamnesis, physical and complementary exams. Aspergillus fumigatus is the species most frequently isolated from dogs with fungal involvement of the upper respiratory tract. Canine SNA is a disease with worldwide distribution but, surprisingly, the disease has never been described in Brazil. The prognosis of SNA is usually good. The objective of this report is to describe the first case of canine sinonasal aspergillosis in Brazil. Case: A 18-months old, male, Rottweiler breed dog was referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, for purulent nasal discharge, variably bloody, and sneezing of approximately 6 months duration. During this period, the dog was treated with various antibiotics with no success and lost 10 kg of corporal mass. The alterations found in the physical exam were bilateral sanguinopurulent nasal discharge, depigmentation of nose and paranasal region, as well as subnutrition. The dog was anesthetized and sinus and chest x-rays were performed (latero-lateral and ventrodorsal positions). In the radiographic analysis, it was verified the lessening of radiolucency on the left nostril, indicating the destruction of the nasal concha. The chest radiographies did not show alterations. A rhinoscopy was carried out showing destruction in the endoturbinate, purulent discharge and presence of a dark color mass in the frontal sinus, which was collected for histopathological and microbiological culture exams. Histopathologic examination revealed the presence of hyaline, branching septate hyphae, consistent with Aspergillus spp. and inflammatory cells. Culture identified Aspergillus fumigatus. Bacteriological culture was negative. Antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus were detected by counter electrosyneresis. The haemogram showed lymphocytosis and monocytosis. The dog was treated with itraconazole (5 mg/kg of body weight, orally, twice a day for 30 days). After this period, nasal discharge decreased and a good repigmentation was observed with the dog showing improvement of his appetite and energy level. Discussion: The presence of antibodies to Aspergillus spp. does not always confirm canine nasal aspergillosis. Serological tests can yield 5% to 15% false positive results in dogs. Therefore, it is necessary to perform complementary exams such as radiography, rhinoscopy, histopathology and fungal culture in order to confirm the diagnosis. For many years, aspergillosis was considered as an incurable chronic rhinitis characterized by the turbinate destruction, nasal discharge and intermittent epistaxis. The reported prevalence of canine SNA in animals affected by disorders in the upper respiratory may range from 7 to 34%. Consequently, predisposed animals (like dolichocephalic dogs) are serious candidates to develop nasal aspergillosis that, in many cases, may be not diagnosed. This first report of canine sinonasal aspergillosis in Brazil reinforces the importance of consider this disease as a differential diagnosis in cases of nasal disease in dogs with clinical rhinosinusitis mainly in tropical countries.(AU)

Detection of Pneumocystis spp. in lung samples from pigs in Brazil.

The genus Pneumocystis is composed of opportunistic fungi currently considered as specific pulmonary pathogens in humans and other mammals. In pigs, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) could create significant economical losses due to its detrimental effects on growth, food conversion, and carcass/viscera condemnation. This study revealed that Pneumocystis organisms could be detected by Grocott's staining or immunohistochemistry in 36.9% of 564 slaughtered pigs from two geographic regions of Brazil. The prevalence of positive cases was 39.9% and 33.9% in pigs slaughtered in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Mato Grosso (MT) states, respectively. Among the positive cases in RS, Pneumocystis organisms were observed in 41.9% of 33 histologically normal lungs, and in 58.0% of lungs presenting with histological lesions. In contrast, the prevalence in MT in normal and abnormal lungs was 36.3% and 63.5%, respectively. Major histopathological findings in lungs of infected animals were bronchointerstitial pneumonia (47.6%), suggestive of enzootic pneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia (37.9%), compatible with PcP. The results of this survey strengthened the interest of detecting fungal pathogens, in addition to other infectious agents, and evaluating their financial impact on Brazilian pig industry. Preventive and/or therapeutic strategies should be developed in order to minimize the incidence of respiratory fungal infections in pigs and associated economic losses.