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Canine paracoccidioidomycosis: a seroepidemiologic study.
M A Ono1, A P Bracarense, H S Morais
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Disciplina de Biologia Celular, Brazil.
Medical Mycology
|July 12, 2001
Summary
Rural dogs show high rates of exposure to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, as detected by antibody testing. Canine exposure to this fungus is common, though disease manifestation appears infrequent.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Mycology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.
- Dogs, particularly those in rural environments, may be exposed to P. brasiliensis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of exposure to P. brasiliensis in dogs using serological and skin testing.
- To investigate the feasibility of using ELISA and skin tests for epidemiological studies of canine paracoccidioidomycosis.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies against gp43 antigen in 305 dog sera.
- Skin testing with gp43 was performed on a subset of dogs.
- Histopathological and culture analyses were attempted on selected dogs.
Main Results:
- Antibody prevalence against P. brasiliensis was significantly higher in rural dogs (89.5%) compared to suburban (48.8%) and urban dogs (14.8%).
- Skin test positivity rates were 38.1% in rural dogs and 13.1% in suburban dogs.
- P. brasiliensis was not detected in dogs with high antibody titers and positive skin tests, suggesting natural resistance or low-level exposure.
Conclusions:
- ELISA and skin testing are valuable tools for studying paracoccidioidomycosis epidemiology in dogs.
- Exposure to P. brasiliensis appears to be common in dogs, especially in rural areas.
- Dogs may possess natural resistance or encounter insufficient inoculum levels to develop clinical disease.