Candida peritonitis in dogs: report of 5 cases

Abstract

Candida peritonitis is reported in people and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality compared with sterile or bacterial peritonitis. Recognized predisposing risk factors include peritoneal dialysis, hollow viscous organ perforation, abdominal surgery, inflamed intestinal mucosa, antimicrobial administration, and immunosuppression. In this report, we describe 5 cases of dogs with peritonitis complicated by Candida spp; 3 dogs with C albicans, one dog with C albicans and C glabrata, and one dog with C glabrata only. The 3 dogs with C albicans peritonitis presented with duodenal perforation due to NSAID therapy, intestinal resection and anastomosis following postspay-surgery dehiscence, and intestinal foreign body removal. The 2 dogs with C glabrata peritonitis had undergone cholecystectomy due to gall bladder rupture and dehiscence of intestinal biopsy removal sites following exploratory laparatomy. In all cases, initial diagnosis of fungal peritonitis was made via cytologic examination of peritoneal effusions, which revealed marked pyogranulomatous inflammation with numerous 3-8 lm oval, deeply basophilic yeast organisms with thin clear capsules noted within phagocytes and extracellularly. In addition, germ tube formation, hyphae, and pseudohyphae were rarely seen in some of the cases with pure C albicans.

Risk factors for Candida urinary tract infections in dogs and cats

“…In the study reported here, 4 species of Candida were isolated from dogs and cats. Most dogs and cats were infected with C. albicans , which is consistent with previous reports that describe this species as the predominant Candida species causing infection in dogs and cats . In dogs with candiduria, there were nearly equal numbers of C. albicans and C. glabrata infections (44% and 40%, respectively).…”

“…Disease caused by Candida species in dogs and cats include urinary tract infections, peritonitis, cutaneous and mucocutaneous infections, gastrointestinal overgrowth, ulcerative glossitis, keratitis, arthritis, and dissemination . The most commonly reported manifestation of candidiasis in the veterinary literature is candiduria .…”

Clinical findings and results of diagnostic imaging in 82 dogs with gastrointestinal ulceration

“…In a report of five dogs with Candida peritonitis, all had a history of antimicrobial therapy and liver/biliary surgery or GI perforation (Bradford et al . ). Only two of the five dogs in that report survived to discharge.…”

“…are commensals of the biliary and intestinal tract, but Candida peritonitis has been reported infrequently. In a report of five dogs with Candida peritonitis, all had a history of antimicrobial therapy and liver/biliary surgery or GI perforation (Bradford et al . 2013 ).…”

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in addition to premedication in gastrointestinal surgery

“…in immune-compromised animals because Candida spp. is an opportunistic pathogen [6]. The aim of intravenous applications of antibiotics prior to surgery procedures is to reach a suffi cient concentration in the tissues that are exposed to possible contamination with the liquid content originated from the gastrointestinal system.…”