Serological evidence of Histoplasma capsulatum infection among dogs with leishmaniasis in Brazil

Abstract

Histoplasmosis is a systemic infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Environmental sources of infection for humans and animals in certain regions and the prevalence of infection in animals are frequently unknown. Because of the clinical and epidemiological similarities between histoplasmosis and leishmaniasis in northeastern Brazil, we decided to investigate the serologic evidence of H. capsulatum in dogs, considering that these animals can act as sentinels for histoplasmosis. A total of 224 serum samples from dogs were tested for antibodies against H. capsulatum through immunodiffusion. A total of 128 (57.14%) samples were positive for leishmaniasis by indirect immunofluorescence assay and four (1.78%) samples were positive for antibodies against H. capsulatum. Immunological evidence of the co-existence of histoplasmosis and leishmaniasis in dogs living in urban areas was observed. Diagnosis and clinical management of these diseases in endemic areas should be improved by veterinarians.

Fungal pneumonia in dogs and cats with pulmonary clinical signs in southern Brazil

“…Histoplasmosis in humans and animals has a higher incidence in midwestern and the Atlantic United States and may be found in all regions in Brazil; however, in humans, the state of Rio de Janeiro is responsible for most of the microepidemics described (Aidé 2009, Brown et al 2012, Greene & Bromel 2012. In dogs and cats the disease is also found in all regions in Brazil (Silva-Ribeiro et al 1987, Carneiro et al 2005, Cordeiro et al 2011, Brilhante et al 2012, Souza et al 2015. Blastomycosis is endemic in humans and animals in the central and the southeastern United States, including Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, and in parts of Canada, Africa and India (Bromel & Sykes 2005, Brown et al 2012.…”

Using Histoplasmin and Coccidioidin Skin Tests and an Agar Gel Immunodiffusion for Animals in Argentina

“…Mycelium morphology is similar to that of other parasitic animals, showing similarities in saprophytic structures, with some variation occurring in the unicellular yeast forms or in the spores (fungal dimorphism) [2]. Most infections are asymptomatic or have mild respiratory symptoms that heal spontaneously.…”

“…Histoplasma antibodies were detected in 1.78% of the dog serum samples (four dogs of 224) in Brazil [2]. Using western blots, Canteros et al [15] investigated the presence of P. brasiliensis, H. capsulatum and Coccidioides sp.…”

Histoplasmose Em Cães E Gatos No Brasil

“…Excrementos de aves e de morcegos favorecem seu crescimento, por este motivo pode ser encontrado nos habitats desses animais, como cavernas, minas, árvores ocas, sótãos ou porões de casas, galinheiros, construções abandonadas e áreas rurais (DEUS FILHO et al, 2009 Assim como em humanos, vários animais, domésticos e silvestres, podem ser acometidos por esta micose. Casos já foram relatados em cães (CORDEIRO et al, 2011;FERNANDES et al, 2003;TYRE et al, 2007), gatos (BRILHANTE et al, 2012;CARNEIRO et al, 2005;MAVRAPOLOU et al, 2010), equídeos (JOHNSTON et al, 1995;NUNES et al, 2006;REZABEK et al, 1993;RICHTER et al, 2003), roedores e marsupiais (NAIFF et al, 1996…”