Canine sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis and therapeutic response in 44 cases (1998–2003)

Abstract

A sporotichosis epidemic involving forty-four dogs in the Metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro is described. Solitary skin lesions were noted in 18 dogs (40.9%), 2-4 such lesions were observed in 17 animals (38.6%), and nine (20.5%) animals had five or more lesions. Twenty-five (56.8%) animals had single ulcerated skin lesions on the nose and nine (20.5%) showed nasal mucosal involvement (three of which also has a skin lesion). Respiratory symptoms were observed in 17 (38.6%) dogs and were found to be the most common extracutaneous signs of infection. Anemia, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia were the most frequent hematological abnormalities. Histopathological analysis of skin biopsies in most cases revealed granulomatous reactions characterized by histiocytic hyperplasia and neutrophil infiltration. Yeast-like cells were observed in seven (16.7%) of 42 dogs examined histologically. During the study, eight (18.2%) animals were lost to follow-up and three (6.8%) were submitted to euthanasia. Of the remaining 33 dogs, five (15.2%) presented spontaneous regression of the lesions, 26 (78.8%) were cured after treatment, and two (6%) continue to be treated. The present cases indicate that many dogs with sporotrichosis respond well to treatment and in a few dogs, the disease may be self-limiting.

Canine sporotrichosis: report of 15 advanced cases

“…However, the zoonosis service of IPEC-Fiocruz has been observing a growing number of cases in Rio de Janeiro (Schubach et al 2004). Schubach et al (2006) described 44 cases of canine sporotrichosis between 1998 and 2003; however the authors suggest that the number of cases may actually be an underestimate due in part to the fact that the study was performed in a zoonosis service (IPEC, Fiocruz) and it does not represent the reality of clinical cases. In the present study, the exact casuistic of a Veterinary Dermatology Service in a period of 20 months is described, and as already observed, the number of cases is growing.…”

Sporothrix schenckii and sporotrichosis

“…The largest epidemic of sporotrichosis due to zoonotic transmission was described in Rio de Janeiro ( Schubach et al 2004Schubach et al , 2006. As a rule, feline disease preceded human and canine diseases, and the individuals most frequently affected included housewives taking care of cats with sporotrichosis (Barros et al 2004).…”

Dermatite multifatorial em um canino

“…Entretanto, casos esporádicos têm sido descritos nessa espécie em diferentes estados do Brasil (Larsson et al, 1993;Souza et al, 2009), assim como, recentemente, foi relatado um grande número de casos em cães nos estados do Rio de Janeiro e Rio Grande do Sul (Schubach et al, 2006;Madrid et al, 2007). As alterações cutâneas observadas no presente relato não apresentavam padrão específico, assemelhandose a uma infecção parasitária e/ou bacteriana.…”

“…O itraconazol apresenta amplo espectro de ação tanto nas micoses superficiais como nas sistêmicas, sendo considerado o antifúngico de eleição para o tratamento da esporotricose em humanos e animais (Schubach e Schubach, 2000;Schubach et al, 2006;Madrid et al, 2010). A moxidectina utilizada no presente relato é descrita como eficaz na maioria dos tratamentos de demodicose em cães (Paradis, 1999).…”