Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Mycology
• Immunocompromised Animal Models
• Infectious Diseases in Animals

Background:

• Phaeohyphomycosis, a fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi, is an emerging disease with significant morbidity.
• Immunosuppression in animals increases susceptibility to opportunistic fungal pathogens.
• Disseminated fungal infections pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in veterinary medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in an immunosuppressed dog.
• To identify the causative fungal agent and affected organs.
• To evaluate the therapeutic response to a multi-antifungal regimen.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case presentation of an immunosuppressed dog.
• Histopathological examination of affected tissues (paw pads, skin, myocardium, liver, renal interstitium, diaphragm).
• Post-mortem fungal cultures (Bipolaris spicifera, Candida glabrata, Fusarium oxysporum).
• Antifungal treatment with fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, and liposomal amphotericin B.

Main Results:

• Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis secondary to Bipolaris spicifera infection was confirmed.
• Extensive fungal infiltration was observed in multiple organs and tissues.
• Co-infection with Candida glabrata and Fusarium oxysporum was identified post-mortem.
• The dog showed a poor prognosis and was euthanized after 12 days of treatment.

Conclusions:

• Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis is a severe and often fatal condition in immunosuppressed dogs.
• Bipolaris spicifera can cause aggressive, multi-organ fungal infections in canines.
• Current antifungal therapies may be insufficient for severe, disseminated cases, highlighting the need for further research.