Canine & Feline Fungal Diseases Flashcards
What areas of the US are most commonly affected by Coccidiomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, and Cryptococcosis?
Coccidiomycosis = Southwestern US
Histoplasmosis = Midwest and Mississippi River Valley
Blastomycosis = Ohio River Valley and east of Mississippi River Valley
Cryptococcosis = Pacific Northwest
What causes Histoplasmosis? What small animals are affected? How do they become infected?
Histoplasma capsulatum
cats and dogs in the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley
ingestion or contamination of wounds from soil with bird or bat feces
How does the clinical presentation of Histoplasmosis compare in dogs and cats?
DOGS - weight loss, bloody stool, diarrhea, coughing, dyspnea, increased RR, nodular skin lesions, joint swelling
CATS - coughing, dyspnea, increased RR, weight loss, anorexia, nodular skin lesions, joint swelling
What is seen on CBC/chem in cases of Histoplasmosis?
- anemia
- neutrophilic leukocytosis
- thrombocytopenia
- hypoalbuminemia
- hypercalcemia
What is seen on radiographs in cases of Histoplasmosis? Are fungal cultures commonly done?
- diffuse or linear, nodular, interstitial pattern
- hilar lymphadenopathy
- pleural effusion
no - infectious aerosolization makes it dangerous
What serology is recommended for cases of Histoplasmosis?
antigen testing in serum, CSF, or urine
What treatment is recommended for Histoplasmosis?
Itraconazole - 4-6 months OR one month post clinical signs
+ supportive care
What needs to be monitored while treating Histoplasmosis?
- hepatic values
- antigen concentrations –> decline after 1-2 months is a good sign
What causes Blastomycosis? What small animals are most commonly infected? How do they become infected?
Blastomyces dermatitidis
dogs > cats; hunting dogs in the Ohio River Valley and east of the Mississippi River
found in soil with decaying vegetation and pigeon or bat feces
What organ system is most commonly affected by Blastomycosis? What other signs can be seen?
stays in lungs more than other fungi - cough, increased RR and effort, lymph node enlargement
- lameness
- bloody urine
- light sensitivity, pain, glaucoma
- draining tracts, proliferative lesions, purulent discharge from skin
What are 2 strong diagnostics recommended for possible cases of Blastomycosis?
- chest radiographs - bronchointerstitial “snowstorm” pattern of pneumonia in hilar areas
- impression smear of cutaneous lesions or draining tracts show very thick-walled budding yeast
What is seen on CBC/chem in cases of Blastomycosis? What serology is recommended?
- chronic inflammation - mild anemia, monocytosis, lymphopenia, eosinophilia
- hypoalbuminemia
- hyperglobulinemia
urinary antigen test or PCR
What treatment is recommended for Blastomycosis?
Itraconazole for 2-3 months, continued 1-2 months post clinical signs
+/- supportive therapy
What causes Cryptococcus? What small animals are commonly affected? How do they become infected?
C. neoformans and gattii
cats > dogs, but dogs have more severe disease - Pacific Northwest
transmitted through pigeon feces and soil
What are some common clinical presentations associated with Cryptococcus? What is a unique sign seen in cats?
- sneezing, nasal discharge (mucoid or hemorrhagic)
- weight loss, lethargy, anorexia
- ocular changes
- neurologic abnormalities
cutaneous lesions - Roman nose presentation due to swelling of the bridge of the nose
What are the 2 most common diagnostics used for possible cases of Cryptococcus?
- cytology - round, purple/blue, thick capsule
- serology
What are 4 of the most helpful diagnostics used for possible cases of Coccidioidomycosis?
- radiographs - diffuse, interstitial, or mixed alveolar pattern +/- hilar lymphadenopathy
- impression smear of draining tracts reveal spherules with double walls or full endospores
- serology
- culture within a special lab (ZOONOTIC)
