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Evidence of a Prototheca Zopfii Genotype 2 Disseminated Infection in a Dog with Cutaneous Lesions

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Abstract

Protothecosis is a disease caused by saprophyte aerobic unicellular algae belonging to the genus Prototheca. In dogs, it mainly occurs as a disseminated form, with initial clinical manifestations often referable to the gastrointestinal tract, followed by typical ocular and neurological signs. So far, Prototheca zopfii genotype 2 infection has been reported in severe forms of disseminated protothecosis, while in dogs has never been associated with cutaneous forms. In this study, we describe a case of Prototheca zopfii genotype 2 infection in a dog characterized by nodular and ulcerative dermatitis and with evidence of dissemination. In December 2015, a 5-year-old unneutered male English Setter dog was presented with a 4-month history of footpads ulcerations and multifocal nodular lesions (3–5 cm diameter) on both front limbs. Cytological examination of the aspirated fluid collected from all nodules revealed the presence of sporangic forms compatible with Prototheca spp. organisms. Suspected Prototheca spp. colonies were isolated from the aspirated fluid and identified as Prototheca zopfii genotype 2 by molecular methods. Few days after the visit, the patient developed serious neurological and ocular signs, and the owners elected humane euthanasia. To the authors’ knowledge, this case could represent the first report of a disseminated Prototheca zopfii genotype 2 infection associated with cutaneous lesions in a dog. This study underlines the importance of considering Prototheca zopfii genotype 2 infection in the differential etiological diagnosis of nodular and ulcerative dermatitis in dogs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Serena Lorenzetti, Valentina Donati and Tamara Cerci for their outstanding technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. General Diagnostic Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy

    Virginia Carfora, Andrea Caprioli, Manuela Iurescia, Fiorentino Stravino & Alessia Franco

  2. Veterinary Practitioner, Via Quartiere Ronco 1, 24031, Almenno San Salvatore, BG, Italy

    Gloria Noris

Authors
  1. Virginia Carfora
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  2. Gloria Noris
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  3. Andrea Caprioli
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  4. Manuela Iurescia
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  5. Fiorentino Stravino
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Correspondence to Virginia Carfora.

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The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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The owners gave verbal informed consent for using the following data obtained from their dog and were informed that these data would remain anonymous.

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Carfora, V., Noris, G., Caprioli, A. et al. Evidence of a Prototheca Zopfii Genotype 2 Disseminated Infection in a Dog with Cutaneous Lesions. Mycopathologia 182, 603–608 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-016-0108-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-016-0108-2

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