A case of pulmonary aspergillosis in white storks

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗAspergillosis is a fungal infection affecting respiratory system both in mammals and avian species. It is more commonly encountered in birds, in comparison with its mammalian counterpart. Mostly isolated strains are Aspergillus fumigatus (95%) and Aspergillus flavus (5%). Affected lungs and air sacs reveal miliary to gross lesions like gray-yellowish or white-grayish granulomatous foci surrounded by white halos indicative of inflammatory infiltration. Five storks found dead in the rural areas near Istanbul were submitted to our faculty between years 2008 and 2014. Two of them were thought to be younger than 1-year-old and the other three were older than one year of age. Necropsies were performed right after their submissions. Aspergillosis lesions were observed in the lungs and thoracic air sacs of the first four storks. In addition to these changes the lesions were detected at the aortic bifurcation and on the testicular and renal capsule of the fifth stork. Histopathology revealed encapsulated granulomas with foci of caseous necrosis at the center surrounded by numerous macrophages, heterophil leukocytes, lymphocytes and foreign body giant cells in all the storks. Following the gross, histopathological and mycological examinations the agents were detected as Aspergillus fumigatus. Although, the number of reported deaths due to Aspergillosis is not high in storks, we believe that these birds are quite susceptible to the disease and stress factors such as migration increases the risk of pathogenicity. This report was designed as a contribution to literature since there is only one reported case available with respect to aspergillosis associated death in storks and stress factors such as migration may also predispose storks to the disease

Presence and Seroprevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in Pigs in Turkey

In this study, the presence and seroprevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pigs raised in various regions of Turkey were investigated. For this purpose, 384 lung, tonsil and blood samples were taken by random sampling during the slaughter. The pigs did not show any signs of clinical respiratory tract disorders at the time of slaughter. Organ samples were used for isolation, and specific antibodies in 384 sera samples (of which 368 belonged to animals used in organ sampling) were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For isolation, the lung and tonsil samples were inoculated onto PPLO agar plates with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and A. pleuropneumoniae (serotype 12) was isolated from only one of the tonsil samples. Of the 384 blood samples, 258 (67.2%) were found to be positive. 209 (54.4%) of the positive samples were determined to be group 1, and 49 (12.8%) were determined to be group 2. The effect of age and sex of the samples were found to be non-significant by statistical analysis of the ELISA data (p > 0.05). Isolation of A. pleuropneumoniae indicates the presence of the infection in Turkey for the first time and high seroprevalence supports this finding

Actinomyces viscosus Isolation from the Skin of a Cat

Actinomyces is an aerobic or microaerobic, Gram-positive, non-acid fast, filamentous, diphtheroidal rod or coccobacillus-shaped bacteria. Actinomycosisis is seen mostly as a dental disease of cattle, however it also occurs in other animal species such as dogs, cats, cows, goats and horses. This report describes a 1 year-old, female, mixed-breed, indoor cat which developed a purulent exudate around the interdigital area for 6 months. Despite various antibacterial treatments the skin lesions of the cat deteriorated. Anamnesis revealed that cat did not show any sign of pruritis however was eating a special diet for dermatologic disorders. The only sign on physical examination was a purulent exudate seen in the interdigital area. Hematological and biochemical profiles were within normal limits. Skin scrapes were negative for parasites and fungi. From the wound swab, Actinomyces viscosus was identified. According to the antibiotic susceptibility test, the isolate was susceptible to amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The cat received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (8.75 mg/kg BID, IM) for a week. After the treatment, there was no discharge around the interdigital area. This case is of interest since Actinomyces viscosus has been rarely encountered in the skin of cats. Veterinarians should include A. viscosus in the differential diagnosis in case with dermal purulent discharge

Dermatophytosis caused by a Chrysosporium species in two cats in Turkey: a case report

Dermatophytes are infectious agents and can cause the zoonotic disease dermatophytosis in animals and humans. Keratinophilic fungi and especially dermatophytes can be detected on the hair coat and skin of cats. The aim of this report is to present a rarely seen dermatophytic skin disease in cats. Two Persian cats, living in the same house, were found to be positive for Chyrososporium spp. using mycological culture. At that time the owner of the cats was undergoing chemotherapy for a mammary tumour. This treatment led to low immunity, intensive pruritus and also to scaling on the inside of her arms. Chrysosporium spp. were also detected in the cats' owner. Antifungal therapy was applied with fluconazole to both cats. Because of widespread lesions and alopecia, intravenous fluconazole was administered with a saline solution. The lesions improved inside a six week period after fluconazole therapy and no adverse effects were observed

Dermatophytosis caused by a Chrysosporium species in two cats in Turkey: a case report

Dermatophytes are infectious agents and can cause the zoonotic disease dermatophytosis in animals and humans. Keratinophilic fungi and especially dermatophytes can be detected on the hair coat and skin of cats. The aim of this report is to present a rarely seen dermatophytic skin disease in cats. Two Persian cats, living in the same house, were found to be positive for Chyrososporium spp. using mycological culture. At that time the owner of the cats was undergoing chemotherapy for a mammary tumour. This treatment led to low immunity, intensive pruritus and also to scaling on the inside of her arms. Chrysosporium spp. were also detected in the cats' owner. Antifungal therapy was applied with fluconazole to both cats. Because of widespread lesions and alopecia, intravenous fluconazole was administered with a saline solution. The lesions improved inside a six week period after fluconazole therapy and no adverse effects were observed