Infection with Basidiobolus ranarum in two dogs.
Basidiobolus ranarum is a saprophytic fungus in the environment that also is a part of the endogenous microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of several vertebrates. These organisms may penetrate skin or muscosa of humans and other animals, causing granulomatous inflammation. Two dogs infected with B. ranarum had prolonged or repeated exposure to water or soil in their environment. One dog had progressive subcutaneous infection of all the limbs, and the other dog had recurrent coughing and dyspnea caused by tracheobronchitis. In both dogs, secondary bacterial infection of the lesions was evident. Treatment of the dog with subcutaneous infection involved cutaneous dressings and sequential use of enrofloxacin and itraconazole; however, this resulted in suspected liver damage without clinical improvement. Subsequent treatment with potassium iodide and a lipid formulation of amphotericin B was also unsuccessful, and the dog was euthanatized. The other dog was treated alternately with enrofloxacin and itraconazole. When the clinical signs and infection returned, combination treatment with both drugs was more effective; however, the dog developed liver damage. Subsequent treatment with enrofloxacin on an intermittent basis controlled the dog's coughing during a 3-year period.
Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
Craig E
CE
Greene
Charles W
CW
Brockus
M P
MP
Currin
Chris J
CJ
Jones
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D020091:Entomophthorales; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014871:Water Microbiology; D020096:Zygomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D015363:Quinolones; D017964:Itraconazole; D000077422:Enrofloxacin