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- Title
First molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in a dog with an atypical cutaneous clinical presentation in Colombia.
- Authors
Lugo, Rodrigo; Pérez, Ruben D.; Rondon, Iang
- Abstract
Anamnesis: a 4-year-old female dog‚ Pinscher breed‚ was presented to a small animal clinic in Colombia with a 2-month evolution of a skin and pruritic problem‚ alopecic skin lesions on the trunk and lesions with ulcers and crusts on the tips of the ears with serosanguineous discharge. Owner reported a previous treatment for scabies without a favorable response. Clinical findings: the canine patient presented round multifocal skin lesions on the trunk consistent with epidermal collarettes‚ as well as lesions with ulcers and crusts on the tips of the ears with serosanguinous discharge‚ consistent with ear tip vasculitis. The general examination of the patient was normal. Diagnostic: cutaneous histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum was confirmed by cytology‚ histopathological analysis of skin biopsy that revealed structures consistent with fungal forms‚ Gomori-Grocott methenamine silver staining. For molecular diagnosis by nested PCR‚ DNA was extracted from skin and serum by E.Z.N.A.® Tissue DNA kit‚ and primers were designed to amplify 111 bp and 279 bp fragments from M antigen of H. capsulatum as a target. Amplicons were sequenced and confirmed as H. capsulatum by Sanger method. Treatment: after the diagnosis‚ the patient did not return for consultation‚ however‚ the treatment for histoplasmosis typically involves the use of an azole antifungal drug (e.g., ketoconazole‚ itraconazole‚ fluconazole‚ or posaconazole) which inhibits sterol 14α-demethylase‚ involved in ergosterol synthesis‚ a key component of the fungal cell wall. Results and conclusions: the diagnosis of cutaneous histoplasmosis in dogs can be difficult due to the resemblance of the intracellular structures to those of other pathogens. Therefore‚ it is important to confirm the diagnosis using complementary tests such as histopathology and PCR. To the authors’ knowledge‚ this is the first report of molecular detection of H. capsulatum as the causative agent of skin lesions in a canine patient in Colombia‚ emphasizing the need to consider this pathogen as a differential diagnosis in dogs with epidermal collarette-type lesions and/or lesions compatible with ear tip vasculitis.
- Subjects
COLOMBIA; ERGOSTEROL; ITRACONAZOLE; SYMPTOMS; FUNGAL cell walls; FEMALE dogs; ANTIFUNGAL agents; STAINS &; staining (Microscopy); MOLECULAR diagnosis
- Publication
Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias, 2024, Vol 37, p174
- ISSN
0120-0690
- Publication type
Article