Leukogram and serum globulin values in two dogs with systemic Xylohypha bantiana infection

Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare fungal disease of animals and man, generally thought to occur in compromised or debilitated hosts, although in man the majority of infections have occurred in otherwise healthy patients. To investigate the possible role of immune suppression in systemic phaeohyphomycosis, certain aspects of the immune system of 2 dogs with systemic Xylohypha bantiana infection were investigated. White cell and differential cell counts, serum protein electrophoresis and serum immunoglobulin fractions were determined. The only consistent finding was lymphopaenia. Although there is no specific evidence for it, a lymphopaenic state might predispose to systemic phaeohyphomycosis.