title: Evidence of a Prototheca Zopfii Genotype 2 Disseminated Infection in a Dog with Cutaneous Lesions.
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.
authors.affiliation: General Diagnostic Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy. virginia.carfora@izslt.it.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-4723
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carfora
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Practitioner, Via Quartiere Ronco 1, 24031, Almenno San Salvatore, BG, Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noris
authors.affiliation: General Diagnostic Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caprioli
authors.affiliation: General Diagnostic Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iurescia
authors.affiliation: General Diagnostic Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiorentino
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stravino
authors.affiliation: General Diagnostic Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005838:Genotype; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011525:Prototheca / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: Diagnosis; Dog; Genotypic characterization; Nodular and ulcerative dermatitis; Prototheca zopfii genotype 2; Protothecosis