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Systemic candidiasis in an apparently immunocompetent dog
M Raquel Brown1, Craig A Thompson, Fawzi M Mohamed
1Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
Summary
Systemic Candida spp. infection occurred in a dog despite no apparent host resistance issues. This study details the fungal etiology using advanced diagnostic methods.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Veterinary Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Candida spp. are common fungi residing on mammalian mucosal surfaces.
- Cell-mediated immunity is crucial for controlling Candida infections.
- Risk factors for candidiasis include immunosuppression, chemotherapy, diabetes, and prolonged steroid or antimicrobial use.
Observation:
- A case of systemic Candida spp. infection in a dog is presented.
- The affected dog showed no evident underlying immune deficiency.
- The infection's etiology was investigated using multiple diagnostic techniques.
Findings:
- The study identified the causative agent of systemic candidiasis in the dog.
- Advanced techniques like cytopathology, histopathology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry were employed.
- The findings contribute to understanding Candida infections in animals, particularly in the absence of typical predisposing factors.
Implications:
- This research expands knowledge on systemic fungal infections in veterinary medicine.
- It highlights the potential for Candida spp. to cause disease even in immunocompetent hosts.
- The diagnostic approaches used can inform future investigations of similar cases in animals.