Sporotrichosis Outburst after Cancer Chemotherapy in a Dog

Background: Sporotrichosis is a dermatozoonosis that affects mammals in general, with the domestic feline (Felis catus) being the most epidemiologically important species. However, diagnosis of this disease in dogs is important considering the proximity with people and with other communicants. The epidemiology of sporotrichosis is already known in some states of Brazil, especially in the southeast region, but to the best of our knowledge there are no reports of sporotrichosis in non-human species in the state of Espírito Santo. This paper aimed at describing the first case of canine sporotrichosis in Espírito Santo, Brazil.Case: A 10 year-old Bull Terrier male dog was presented with nodular non-ulcerated lesions on the head and nodular ulcerated lesion on the nasal planum. The dog had a previous diagnosis of a low-grade mast cell tumour and palpebral melanoma. Mast cell tumour was treated with scrotum ablation (and orchiectomy) and bilateral inguinal lymph node removal, followed by chemotherapy with twelve intravenous infusion of vinblastine, along with prednisolone. Cutaneous lesions in the head and nasal planum appeared two months after finishing chemotherapy. At further anamnesis, the pet´s responsible reported that the dog had the habit of hunting cats that entered the residence, which raised the hypothesis of sporotrichosis. An undiagnostic cytology was performed, followed by a fungal culture, positive for Sporothrix schenckii. Treatment was then initiated with itraconazol (Oficial generic drug), at a dose of 10mg/kg/SID, until clinical remission, obtained after 60 days, maintaining it for 60 more days. Patient showed completed recovery, with no further complatints after a follow-up of more than 220 days.Discussion: Sporotrichosis is considered a rare disease in dogs, with isolated cases in the literature. The dog of the present report was diagnosed with sporotrichosis two months after the end of a chemotherapy treatment for a mast cell tumour. Therefore, it is suggested that the patient in this study was infected during an immunosuppressive phase. The same can occur with other immunosuppressive treatments, such as glucocorticoid, also included in the chemotherapy treatment of this patient, calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine) and mercaptopurine derivatives (azathioprine). Cytology is usually unconclusive for such lesions in dogs, once only a few yeast might be present. Nevertheless, the definitive diagnosis was obtained through fungal microculture. Treatment with itraconazol was successful but dogs might also present favorable responses to ioidine. Itraconazole is a fungistatic drug, fungicidal only in high doses. For this reason, if the fungistatic dose is not administered for sufficient time, recurrences may occur. In the last three years, Espirito Santo has become a new epidemiological scenario for sporotrichosis, and it is placed in the route of transmission, closely to Rio de Janeiro. Cats are the most affected animals and are commonly responsible for transmission to other species, including humans. The increase in cases of canine sporotrichosis requires its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of nodular-ulcerative lesions, along with cutaneous neoplasias and immune-mediated diseases

Avaliação do fungo Duddingtonia flagrans e hipoclorito de sódio a 5% sobre a eclodibilidade de ovos de ciatostomíneos

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar diferentes concentrações de conídios do fungo Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) e hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) a 5% (v/v) sob a eclosão de ovos de nematódeos gastrintestinais de equinos. Foram formados cinco grupos experimentais: Grupo 1 (3 x 106 conídios de AC001 + 20 g de fezes), Grupo 2 (6 x 106 conídios de AC001 + 20 g de fezes), Grupo 3 (9 x 106 conídios de AC001 + 20 g de fezes), Grupo 4 (5 mL de hipoclorito de sódio 5% (v/v) + 20 g de fezes) e Grupo 5 (5 mL de água destilada + 20 g de fezes). Em seguida, as coproculturas foram incubadas por 10 dias no escuro 26 ± 1° a 2°C e, posteriormente, procedeu-se a recuperação de larvas infectantes (L3) de nematódeos por meio da técnica de Baermann. Ao final do período experimental, constatou-se a presença absoluta de L3 de nematódeos ciatostomíneos. Os resultados demonstraram que houve redução significativa (p<0,01) na recuperação de L3 em todos os grupos tratados com o AC001 (G1, G2 e G3) e também com o hipoclorito de sódio a 5% (v/v) (G4) em relação ao grupo controle (G5). Notou-se que não houve diferença (p>0,01) entre as três concentrações de conídios testadas nos grupos G2 e G3. Conclui-se que o fungo D. flagrans e o hipoclorito de sódio a 5% (v/v) foram eficientes na redução de L3 de nematódeos gastrintestinais nas coproculturas, podendo esse resultado ser utilizado em futuros delineamentos experimentais

Avaliação do fungo Duddingtonia flagrans e hipoclorito de sódio a 5% sobre a eclodibilidade de ovos de ciatostomíneos

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar diferentes concentrações de conídios do fungo Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) e hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) a 5% (v/v) sob a eclosão de ovos de nematódeos gastrintestinais de equinos. Foram formados cinco grupos experimentais: Grupo 1 (3 x 106 conídios de AC001 + 20 g de fezes), Grupo 2 (6 x 106 conídios de AC001 + 20 g de fezes), Grupo 3 (9 x 106 conídios de AC001 + 20 g de fezes), Grupo 4 (5 mL de hipoclorito de sódio 5% (v/v) + 20 g de fezes) e Grupo 5 (5 mL de água destilada + 20 g de fezes). Em seguida, as coproculturas foram incubadas por 10 dias no escuro 26 ± 1° a 2°C e, posteriormente, procedeu-se a recuperação de larvas infectantes (L3) de nematódeos por meio da técnica de Baermann. Ao final do período experimental, constatou-se a presença absoluta de L3 de nematódeos ciatostomíneos. Os resultados demonstraram que houve redução significativa (p0,01) entre as três concentrações de conídios testadas nos grupos G2 e G3. Conclui-se que o fungo D. flagrans e o hipoclorito de sódio a 5% (v/v) foram eficientes na redução de L3 de nematódeos gastrintestinais nas coproculturas, podendo esse resultado ser utilizado em futuros delineamentos experimentais

Coadministration of Nematophagous Fungi for Biological Control over Nematodes in Bovine in the South-Eastern Brazil

This study compared the coadministration among the three nematode predatory fungi, Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium, and Arthrobotrys robusta, in the biological control of cattle gastrointestinal nematodiasis in comparison with the use of the fungus D. flagrans alone. Five groups consisting of eight Girolando heifers were kept in paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens for six months. Each heifer received 1 g/10 kg of pellets containing the fungi (0.2 g of fungus/10 kg b.w.). Group 1 (G1) received pellets with D. flagrans and M. thaumasium in coadministration, G2 received D. flagrans and A. robusta, G3 received M. thaumasium, A. robusta, and D. flagrans, and G4 received the fungus D. flagrans alone. Group 5 (control) received pellets without fungi. The monthly mean of fecal egg count (FEC) of Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 93.8, 85.3, 82.7, and 96.4% smaller than the mean of control group. The treatments with pellets containing D. flagrans or D. flagrans + M. thaumasium produced significantly better results than the D. flagrans + A. robusta or the combination of the three fungi. The associations which include A. robusta were less efficient in this study than D. flagrans alone or associated with M. thaumasium

Asociación in vitro de Duddingtonia flagrans con ivermectina en el control de nematodos gastrointestinales de búfalos

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro association of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and ivermectin in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of buffalo calves. Materials and Methods. Four experimental groups were formed in microtubes, with five replicates for each group: G1 (nematodes + AC001), G2 (nematodes + ivermectin 1%), G3 (nematodes + AC001 + ivermectin 1%) and G4 (nematodes + distilled water). For each group, after 36 hours of interaction, the content of the microtubes was read by optical microscopy, accounting for the number of nematodes per group. Results. There was a significant larval reduction of the treated groups, with the following percentages in relation to G4 (control): G1: 43.7%; G2: 82.3% and G3: 65.7%. It was also observed that the in vitro association of D. flagrans with ivermectin was more effective in reducing L3 when compared to the isolated use of this fungus. Conclusions. It was concluded that the joint use of D. flagrans with ivermectin can potentiate the efficacy of biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes of buffalo calves, envisioning its use under natural conditions of buffalo breeding.Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación in vitro del hongo Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) e ivermectina en el control de nematodos gastrointestinales de terneros búfalo. Materiales y métodos. Se formaron cuatro grupos experimentales en microtubos, con cinco réplicas para cada grupo: G1 (nematodos + AC001), G2 (nematodos + ivermectina 1%), G3 (nematodos + AC001 + ivermectina 1%) y G4 (nematodos + agua destilada). Para cada grupo, después de 36 horas de interacción se leyó el contenido de los microtubos mediante microscopía óptica, contabilizando el número de nematodos por grupo. Resultados. Hubo una reducción larvaria significativa de los grupos tratados, con los siguientes porcentajes  con relación al G4 (control): G1: 43,7%; G2: 82,3% y G3: 65,7%. También se observó que la asociación in vitro de D. flagrans con ivermectina fue más efectiva en la reducción de L3 en comparación con el uso aislado de este hongo. Conclusiones. Se concluyó que el uso conjunto de D. flagrans con ivermectina puede potenciar la eficacia del control biológico de los nematodos gastrointestinales de los búfalos, previendo su uso en las condiciones naturales de la cría de búfalos

Nematophagous fungi combinations reduce free-living stages of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes in the field

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) can reduce or limit sheep production. Currently there is a clear deficiency in the action of drugs for the control of these parasites. Nematophagous fungi are natural enemies of GIN. Fungal combinations have potential for reducing GIN populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency combinations of nematophagous fungi in sodium alginate matrix pellets for the biological control agents of gastrointestinal sheep nematode parasites in the field. The nematophagous fungi (0.2 mg of fungus per kg of body weight), Arthrobotrys conoides, A. robusta, Duddingtonia flagrans, and Monacrosporium thaumasium were used. The treated groups were administered mycelium combinations in the following combinations: group 1 (D. flagrans + A. robusta); group 2 (M. thaumasium + A. conoides). The control group did not receive any fungal pellets. We used three groups with eight Santa Inês sheep each. Each animal was treated with approximately 1 g of pellet per 10 kg of live weight. During the experimental period, we evaluated: number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), infective larvae (L3) per kg of dry matter, larvae recovered from coprocultures, packed cell volume, total plasma protein concentration of sheep, and environmental conditions. Group 2 EPG (M. thaumasium + A. conoides) differed from the control group in September and October. The number of L3/kg of dry matter recovered from animals of groups 1 and 2 at distances of 0–20 and 20–40 cm from the fecal pats was lower than the control group. The packed cell volume and total plasma proteins of treated animals were similar to those of the control group. The combination of treatment groups (D. flagrans + A. robusta and M. thaumasium + A. conoides) reduced the number of L3/kg of pasture. Therefore, treatment of nematophagous fungal combinations have the potential to manage free-living stages of GIN in sheep

Duddingtonia flagrans formulated in rice bran in the control of Oesophagostomum spp. intestinal parasite of swine

Three experimental assays with Duddingtonia flagrans (isolated AC001) were carried out. The growth of the genus Duddingtonia present in formulation of rice bran, its predatory capability on Oesophagostomum spp. infective larvae (L3) in petri dishes (assay 1), its action in faecal cultures with eggs of that parasite (assay 2) and isolate's capability of predation after passing through gastrointestinal tract of swine (assay 3) was evaluated. At assay 3, feces were collected at time intervals of 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h after feed animals with the formulation. Assays 1 and 2 showed a statistical difference (p 0.05). The results demonstrate that the fungal isolate AC001 formulated in rice bran can prey on L3 of Oesophagostomum spp., in vitro and after passing through the gastrointestinal tract, without loss of viability. This isolate may be an alternative in the control of Oesophagostomum spp. in swine

Duddingtonia flagrans formulated in rice bran in the control of Oesophagostomum spp. intestinal parasite of swine

Three experimental assays with Duddingtonia flagrans (isolated AC001) were carried out. The growth of the genus Duddingtonia present in formulation of rice bran, its predatory capability on Oesophagostomum spp. infective larvae (L3) in petri dishes (assay 1), its action in faecal cultures with eggs of that parasite (assay 2) and isolate's capability of predation after passing through gastrointestinal tract of swine (assay 3) was evaluated. At assay 3, feces were collected at time intervals of 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h after feed animals with the formulation. Assays 1 and 2 showed a statistical difference (p 0.05). The results demonstrate that the fungal isolate AC001 formulated in rice bran can prey on L3 of Oesophagostomum spp., in vitro and after passing through the gastrointestinal tract, without loss of viability. This isolate may be an alternative in the control of Oesophagostomum spp. in swine