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Fulltext Feline sporotrichosis in Asia

Han HS, Kano R

Braz J Microbiol, 2021 Mar;52(1):125-134.
PMID: 32363567 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-020-00274-5

Sporothrix schenckii sensu lato is currently recognized as a species complex with only Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto, Sporothrix globosa and Sporothrix pallida identified to cause disease in the cat. Feline sporotrichosis in Asia is mainly reported from Malaysia where a single clonal strain of clinical clade D, Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto manifesting low susceptibility to major antifungal classes, has been identified as the agent of the disease. Sporothrix globosa has been identified to cause disease from a single cat in Japan while the specific species of agent has not been identified yet for the disease in Thailand. Despite efforts to elucidate and describe the pathogenicity of the agent and the disease it causes, the paucity of data highlights the need for further molecular epidemiological studies to characterize this fungus and the disease it causes in Asia. Its prognosis remains guarded to poor due to issues pertaining to cost, protracted treatment course, zoonotic potential and low susceptibility of some strains to antifungals.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology*
Fulltext First report of pathogenic Leptospira spp. isolated from urine and kidneys of naturally infected cats

Alashraf AR, Lau SF, Khairani-Bejo S, Khor KH, Ajat M, Radzi R, et al.

PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0230048.
PMID: 32155209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230048

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. Healthy cat, as a potential source of exposure to humans, are likely underestimated owing to the lack of overt clinical signs associated with Leptospira spp. infection in this species. The aim of the study was to determine the exposure, shedding, and carrier status of leptospires in shelter cats in Malaysia by using serological, molecular, and bacteriological methods. For this study, 82 healthy cats from two shelters were sampled. The blood, urine, and kidneys were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and bacterial culture. On the basis of serological, molecular, and/or culture techniques, the total detection of leptospiral infection was 29.3% (n = 24/82). Through culture techniques, 16.7% (n = 4/24) of the cats that tested positive were carriers with positive kidney cultures, and one cat was culture positive for both urine and kidney. The Leptospira spp. isolates were identified as pathogenic L. interrogans serovar Bataviae through serological and molecular methods. Through serological techniques, 87.5% (n = 21/24) had positive antibody titers (100-1600) and most of the Bataviae serogroup (n = 19/21). Using PCR, 16.7% (n = 4/24) of cats were shown to have pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA in their urine. Furthermore, three out of four culture positive cats were serology negative. The present study reports the first retrieval of pathogenic leptospires from urine and kidneys obtained from naturally infected cats. The results provide evidence of the potential role of naturally infected cats in the transmission of leptospires. Additionally, leptospiral infection occurs sub-clinically in cats. The culture isolation provides evidence that healthy cats could be reservoirs of leptospiral infection, and this information may promote the development of disease prevention strategies for the cat population.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology*
Fulltext The first report of terbinafine resistance Microsporum canis from a cat

Hsiao YH, Chen C, Han HS, Kano R

J Vet Med Sci, 2018 Jun 06;80(6):898-900.
PMID: 29657238 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0680

A 2-year-old, exotic shorthair cat presented with baldness and mild scaling on trunk that was confirmed as Microsporum canis (M. canis) infection by the following methods. Wood's lamp and trichogram were used to demonstrate fungal elements suggestive of dermatophytosis consistent with M. canis. Dermatophyte test medium (DTM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for identification. E-test and broth microdilution test were then utilized to estimate antifungal minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) towards ITZ and TRF respectively. The strain was isolated from the patient and revealed TRF MIC >32 µg/ml and ITZ MIC 0.023 µg/ml. Patient was cured of dermatophytosis with systemic ITZ.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology*
Molecular epidemiology of Sporothrix schenkii isolates in Malaysia

Kamal Azam NK, Selvarajah GT, Santhanam J, Abdul Razak MF, Ginsapu SJ, James JE, et al.

Med Mycol, 2020 Jul 01;58(5):617-625.
PMID: 31642485 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz106

Sporothrix schenkii is a dimorphic fungus that causes infections in both humans and animals. We report on 25 S. schenkii isolates collected in 2017 from humans and cats clinically diagnosed with sporotrichosis, in Malaysia. These isolates were phenotypically identified as S. schenkii sensu lato and further defined as S. schenckii sensu stricto based on partial calmodulin gene sequence. Isolates from both humans and cats were genotypically identical but displayed phenotypic variation. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial calmodulin sequence showed that the Malaysian isolates clustered with global S. schenkii sensu stricto strains, in particular, of the AFLP type E. This analysis also revealed that partial calmodulin sequence alone was sufficient for classifying global S. schenckii sensu stricto strains into their respective AFLP types, from A to E. The genetically conserved S. schenkii sensu stricto species isolated from humans and cats is suggestive of a clonal strain present in Malaysia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on molecular identification of Sporothrix schenkii strains from human infections in Malaysia. Further studies are required in order to elucidate the clonal nature of Malaysian S. schenkii isolates. Our findings indicate the presence of a predominant S. schenkii genotype in the environment, causing infections in both cats and humans in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology*
Molecular typing of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from cats in Malaysia

Kano R, Okubo M, Siew HH, Kamata H, Hasegawa A

Mycoses, 2015 Apr;58(4):220-4.
PMID: 25727965 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12302

Epidemiological data on the aetiologic agents of feline sporotrichosis in Malaysia have not been reported, though human sporotrichosis in Malaysia is reported to be transmitted primarily via cat scratch. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first study of the molecular epidemiology of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from cats with sporotrichosis in Malaysia. In the present work, we characterised 18 clinical isolates from cats in Malaysia based on molecular properties, including sequence analyses of the calmodulin gene and the rDNA ITS region and selective PCR of mating type (MAT) loci. In this study, isolates from feline sporotrichosis were identified as a S. schenckii sensu stricto by sequence analyses of the calmodulin gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Notably, phylogenetic analysis of the ITS confirmed assignment to clinical clade D (and not C) of S. schenckii sensu stricto. Therefore, clinical clade D of S. schenckii sensu stricto appeared to be the prevailing source of feline sporotrichosis in Malaysia. The ratio of MAT1-1-1:MAT1-2-1 in these Malaysian isolates was found to be 1 : 0. This result suggested that a clonal strain of S. schenckii is the prevailing causative agent of feline sporotrichosis in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology*
Fulltext Clinicopathological and radiographic features in 40 cats diagnosed with pulmonary and cutaneous Rhodococcus equi infection (2012-2018)

Aslam MW, Lau SF, Chin CSL, Ahmad NI, Rahman NA, Kuppusamy K, et al.

J Feline Med Surg, 2020 Aug;22(8):774-790.
PMID: 32400257 DOI: 10.1177/1098612X19886395

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aimed to describe clinical manifestations, diagnostic options, radiological features, therapeutic plans and outcomes for cats infected with Rhodococcus equi.
METHODS: Forty cats aged between 2 months and 11 years old (median 6 months) that were definitively diagnosed with rhodococcosis between 2012 and 2018 were recruited in this study. Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, treatment plans and clinical outcomes.
RESULTS: Of the 40 cats, 36 showed the pulmonary form of the disease, with 35 (87.5%) presenting with dyspnoea, while four cats presented with only cutaneous lesions. Mean body temperature was 38.7 ± 0.2°C. Dyspnoea was noted in 87.5% of the cats. Leukocytosis (58.3%) with band neutrophilia (83.3%), monocytosis (58.3%) and thrombocytopenia (55.5%) were prominent findings in the haematology reports. Hyperproteinaemia (61.1%) with hypoalbuminaemia (22.2%) and hyperglobulinaemia (63.8%) with a low albumin:globulin ratio (38.9%) were prominent features of blood biochemistry reports. An alveolar-interstitial pattern was noted in 75% of pre-thoracocentesis radiographs. Pleural effusion, hepatomegaly, thoracic lymphadenopathy and atelectasis of any lung lobe were seen in 88.9%, 75%, 41.7% and 36.1% of cats, respectively. Overall, the mortality rate was 67.5% in both forms.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Clinicians should be aware that feline rhodococcosis manifests as a pulmonary disease at a much higher rate than previously reported. Further studies are required to address the epidemiology, pathophysiology, disease management and prognosis of feline rhodococcosis. The role of immunosuppression as a predisposing factor in feline rhodococcosis requires further investigation.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology
Fulltext The Current Status of Feline Sporotrichosis in Malaysia

Siew HH

Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi, 2017;58(3):E107-E113.
PMID: 28855477 DOI: 10.3314/mmj.17.014

Feline sporotrichosis has been reported in Malaysia since the 1990's. Since then, studies have revealed that clinical clade D, Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto, of a single clonal strain is the most common cause of this disease in Malaysia. The prevalence of a single clonal strain from a clinical clade was never before reported in Asia in a specific geographical niche. This raises the possibility of a process of purifying selection and subsequent clonal proliferation. While agricultural practices may serve as the selective pressure, direct causality has yet to be established. Studies into the thermo-tolerability of the Malaysian clonal strain of S. schenckii sensu stricto revealed that a small minority of clinical isolates have the capacity to grow at 37℃, while the majority displayed low susceptibility to commonly used antifungals in clinical practice, such as itraconazole (ITZ) and terbinafine (TRB). Despite unestablished breakpoints, suspected resistance (MIC > 4 mg/mL) towards amphotericin B (AMB) and fluconazole (FLC) was recorded in the isolates. This explains the often lack of clinical response in feline patients treated with recommended doses of antifungals, including ITZ. Coupled with the potential zoonotic transmission to clients and veterinarians, protracted treatment period, and subsequent cost of treatment, prognosis of feline sporotrichosis is often regarded to be poor. The use of a higher dose of ITZ has been reported, and an adoption of this high-dose treatment regime is reported in this manuscript, with complete cure achieved in cases of recalcitrant and/or unresponsive feline sporotrichosis, which would otherwise be euthanized.

Matched MeSH terms: Cat Diseases/microbiology