Ângela Leitzke Cabana

Paracoccidioidomycosis infection in domestic and wild mammals by Paracoccidioides lutzii

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis that occurs in several Latin American countries, especially in Brazil. It is caused by the thermo‐dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides spp. Serological studies to detect animal infection represent an excellent strategy for data on the agents ecology. Although the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is an endemic area for PCM in humans, there is scarce information available on the ecology of the agent in the region. This study aimed to investigate the infection by Paracoccidioides lutzii in animals living in RS, Brazil. A total of 85 wild mammals, 200 horses and 196 domestic dogs, previously tested for infection by P. brasiliensis, were included in this study. Serum samples from the animals were tested by ELISA to detect anti‐ P. lutzii antibodies. From the 481 animals tested, 105 (21.8%) were seropositive for IgG anti‐P. lutzii. Of these, 54 were also positive for P. brasiliensis. A total of 11 horses (10.5%), 30 dogs (28.8%) and 10 wild mammals (9.5%) were positive only for P. lutzii (n=51). The detection of anti‐P. lutzii antibodies in animals of RS suggests that the fungus can be found in southern Brazil, despite being described mainly in the midwest and southeast of the country.

INCIDENCE DENSITY, PROPORTIONATE MORTALITY, AND RISK FACTORS OF ASPERGILLOSIS IN MAGELLANIC PENGUINS IN A REHABILITATION CENTER FROM BRAZIL.

Abstract:  Aspergillosis, an opportunistic mycosis caused by the Aspergillus genus, affects mainly the respiratory system and is considered one of the most significant causes of mortality in captive penguins. This study aimed to examine a 6-yr period of cases of aspergillosis in penguins at the Centro de Recuperação de Animais Marinhos (CRAM-FURG), Rio Grande, Brazil. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the institutions records of penguins received from January 2004 to December 2009. Animals were categorized according to the outcome “aspergillosis,” and analyzed by age group, sex, oil fouling, origin, prophylactic administration of itraconazole, period in captivity, body mass, hematocrit, and total plasma proteins. A total of 327 Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) was studied, 66 of which died of aspergillosis. Proportionate mortality by aspergillosis was 48.5%, and incidence density was 7.3 lethal aspergillosis cases per 100 penguins/mo. Approximately 75% of the aspergillosis cases occurred in penguins that had been transferred from other rehabilitation centers, and this was considered a significant risk factor for the disease. Significant differences were also observed between the groups in regard to the period of time spent in captivity until death, hematocrit and total plasma proteins upon admission to the center, and body mass gain during the period in captivity. The findings demonstrate the negative impacts of aspergillosis on the rehabilitation of Magellanic penguins, with a high incidence density and substantial mortality.

Serological monitoring of antibodies for an early diagnosis ofaspergillosis in captive penguins

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detection of anti-Aspergillus fumigatus antibodies in captive penguins by double radial agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) for the aspergillosis diagnosis. We included 134 Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in rehabilitation at the Center for Recovery of Marine Animals (CRAM / FURG). All of them were monitored by AGID weekly until its final destination (death or release), totalizing 660 serum samples studied. All animals were clinically accompanied and post-mortem examinations was performed in penguins that died during the studied period. A total of 28% (37/134) of the penguins died, 89.2% (33/37) due to aspergillosis, 11% (4/37) by other causes and 97 were released. From the 33 animals with proven aspergillosis, 21 presented anti- A. fumigatus antibodies by AGID, being the average interval between death and positive AGID 16.4 days. Twelve animals with negative serology died of aspergillosis. The sensitivity and specificity rates were 63.6% and 95% respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 80.7% and 88.9% respectively. These data demonstrate that the serological monitoring for detection of antibodies by AGID can be an important tool for the diagnosis of aspergillosis in penguins.

Can Aspergillus fumigatus conidia cause false-positive results in the galactomannan enzyme immunoassay test?

INTRODUCTION Several factors can cause false-positive results in the galactomannan (GM) test; however, others remain unknown. Presently, the impact of airborne contamination by Aspergillus conidia during enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) remains uninvestigated. METHODS We studied 12 A. fumigatus isolates. Fungal conidia were serially diluted and tested for GM detection using the Platelia® Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay (EIA). RESULTS The conidia concentration required for an EIA-positive result was 4.8 × 103 (median). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to evaluate the impact of environmental contamination on the Platelia® Aspergillus EIA assay. Only massive contamination can interfere with GM optical readings, suggesting that environmental contamination does not cause false-positive test results.

Colisepticemia em Pinguim-de-Magalhães (Spheniscus Magellanicus) com bumblefoot: Relato de caso

Pododrematite, or bumblefoot, is a limb condition limiting the rehabilitation of penguins. The study reports a case of sepsis by Escherichia coli in a Magellanic penguin with grade III pododermatitis, developed during a period of captivity for rehabilitation. The animal died due to sudden death, with necroscopic examination being extensive lesions on foot pad, as well as tissue changes in lungs, air sacs and liver, from which there was isolation of E. coli. Histopathological examination shows the presence of bacteria in these tissues, as well as intravascular bacterial colonies in the epidermis of one of the foot pad. Keyword: Colibacilosis, pododermatitis, penguin Sepsis por Escherichia coli en pinguino (Spheniscus Magellanicus) con bumblefoot: Reporte de un caso RESUMEN. Pododermatitis, o bumblefoot, es una afección podal limitante a la rehabilitación de los pingüinos. El estudio relata un caso de sepsis por Escherichia coli en un pingüino de Magallanes con pododermatitis grado III, desarrollada durante período de cautiverio para rehabilitación. Se produjo una muerte súbita, observándose al examen necroscópico extensas lesiones en las almohadillas de la pata, además de alteraciones en los pulmones, bolsas aéreas e hígado, de donde hubo aislamiento de E. coli. El examen histopatológico mostró la presencia de bacterias en estos tejidos, así como colonias bacterianas intravasculares en la epidermis de una de las almohadillas Palabras clave: Colibacilosis, pododermatitis, pinguino

First isolation of the Stephanoascus ciferrii in feline otitis in Brazil

Ear infections in cats are uncommon, especially involving yeasts. This report describes the first isolation of the Stephanoascus ciferrii, teleomorph of the Candida genus, in a case of feline otitis in Brazil. The identification and characterization of Stephanoascus ciferrii were confirmed by the Vitek2 System (BioMerieux ®).