Serial evaluation of liver enzyme activities in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis administered fluconazole.

Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is a relatively common fungal disorder in dogs that have lived in or traveled to endemic regions and fluconazole is a common antifungal treatment. Liver enzymopathy can occur with fluconazole administration, but the frequency of occurrence nor potentially associative factors have been explored in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Therefore, our objectives were to describe the occurrence and magnitude of liver enzyme activity (LEA) elevation in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis during treatment with fluconazole and identify variables associated with liver enzymopathy.

Serum C-reactive protein and haptoglobin decrease in the first three months of treatment and relative change in haptoglobin predict remission in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

Objective: To evaluate temporal changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis and assess their utility to detect remission.

Methods: 31 client-owned dogs with newly diagnosed pulmonary coccidioidomycosis from October 2020 to February 2021 were included in a retrospective cohort study that utilized archived serum. Serum was originally obtained at diagnosis and once every 3 months after antifungal administration until either remission or 12 months.

Histoplasmosis in domestic cats: new minimally invasive diagnostic techniques.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate minimally invasive diagnostic techniques, such as the semi-quantitative indirect IgG antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using blood serum and the urinary lateral flow assay (LFA), for the detection of in cats with histoplasmosis.

Methods: Eight client-owned domestic cats diagnosed with histoplasmosis were selected based on cytological, histopathological, mycological, molecular or antigenic techniques. The blood serum of these animals was tested in a semi-quantitative indirect IgG antibody EIA for the detection of .

A commercial whole blood polymerase chain reaction assay failed to diagnose histoplasmosis in cats confirmed by cytology or urine antigen detection.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a commercial whole blood real-time PCR assay (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis when compared to direct organism identification and/or urine antigen quantification by enzyme immunoassay (UA-EIA). A secondary objective was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR to anti-Histoplasma immunoglobulin G antibody detection by enzyme immunoassay (IgG-EIA) and IgG-EIA to UA-EIA.

Animals: Cats presented to the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center from February through September of 2023 in which histoplasmosis was diagnosed or suspected.

Tracing histoplasmosis genomic epidemiology and species occurrence across the USA.

Histoplasmosis is an endemic mycosis in North America frequently reported along the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, although autochthonous cases occur in non-endemic areas. In the United States, the disease is provoked by two genetically distinct clades of , (Nam1) and (Nam2). To bridge the molecular epidemiological gap, we genotyped 93 isolates (62 novel genomes) including clinical, environmental, and veterinarian samples from a broader geographical range by whole-genome sequencing, followed by evolutionary and species niche modelling analyses.

A single injection of high-concentration buprenorphine significantly reduces food and water intake as well as fecal and urine production in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Objective: To evaluate selected gastrointestinal side effects of high-concentration buprenorphine (HCB) in healthy rabbits.

Animals: 10 healthy New Zealand White rabbits ranging in body weight between 3.0 and 3.

Temporal tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy resolution is affected by initial severity and poorly correlated to serologic antibody testing in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

Objective: To determine associations between antibody serologic tests and tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy (TBL) in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis and identify variables associated with time to resolution of TBL.

Animals: 32 client owned dogs with newly diagnosed pulmonary coccidioidomycosis from October 2020 to February 2021.

Methods: Prospective cohort study.

Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay and immunodiffusion for detection of anti-Histoplasma antibodies in serum from cats and dogs.

Background: Histoplasma antigen and anti-Histoplasma antibody detection are used to support the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. There is a paucity of published data on antibody assays.

Objectives: Our primary hypothesis was that anti-Histoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody detection using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) will be more sensitive as compared to immunodiffusion (ID).

Clinical utility of fungal culture and antifungal susceptibility in cats and dogs with histoplasmosis.

Background: Culture can be used for diagnosis and antifungal susceptibility testing in animals with fungal infections. Limited information is available regarding the diagnostic performance of culture and the susceptibility patterns of Histoplasma spp. isolates.

Evaluation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, C-reactive protein, and haptoglobin as biomarkers in dogs newly diagnosed with histoplasmosis.

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (OH)D, C-reactive protein (CRP), and haptoglobin are useful biomarkers in various infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders in dogs, but their utility in histoplasmosis is unknown.

Objective: Determine if serum 25(OH)D, CRP, and haptoglobin concentrations are different in dogs with histoplasmosis compared to healthy controls and whether serum globulin, albumin, CRP, or haptoglobin are associated with 25(OH)D concentration.

Animals: Twenty-two client-owned dogs (histoplasmosis, n = 12; controls, n = 10).

Clinical utility of an immunoglobulin A-based serological panel for the diagnosis of chronic enteropathy in dogs.

Background: A panel of IgA-based serologic assays might aid in the diagnosis of chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs, a syndrome encompassing conditions such as food-responsive enteropathy, immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy, and inflammatory bowel disease (also referred to as chronic inflammatory enteropathy). However, it is unclear whether these biomarkers discriminate between CE and other types of primary intestinal disorders.

Objectives: To evaluate a diagnostic panel that measures serum concentrations of IgA directed against OmpC (ACA), canine calprotectin (ACNA), and gliadin-derived peptides (AGA) in dogs with well-characterized intestinal diseases.

Prevalence of ocular lesions in cats newly diagnosed with histoplasmosis: 55 cases (2015-2022).

Objective: To describe the prevalence of ocular lesions in cats with newly diagnosed histoplasmosis.

Animals: 55 client-owned domestic cats.

Procedures: As part of this prospective case series, cats diagnosed with histoplasmosis between the years 2015 and 2020 underwent complete ophthalmic examinations by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist prior to the initiation of antifungal treatment.

In vitro effect of hydroxyethyl starch on coagulation in dogs as assessed by dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 670/0.75 and 6% HES 130/0.4 dilution of canine whole blood on coagulation using dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry (DVC).

Invasive fungal rhinitis with adnexal involvement caused by in a cat from a non-enzootic location.

Case Summary: This report describes a cat with a rare form of histoplasmosis: invasive rhinitis with adnexal involvement, mimicking disease more commonly caused by cryptococcosis or aspergillosis. This case is especially noteworthy as it was from an area where histoplasmosis is not enzootic.

Relevance And Novel Information: Invasive fungal rhinitis causes significant morbidity in cats.

Evaluation of a novel monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay for detection of Histoplasma antigen in urine of dogs.

Background: Commercially available, noninvasive testing options for histoplasmosis are limited outside of the United States.

Objectives: To describe the diagnostic performance of a novel Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (IM EIA) for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis in dogs.

Animals: Twenty dogs with histoplasmosis, 79 dogs without histoplasmosis, and 11 unclassified dogs providing 202 urine samples.

Dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry of blood obtained from healthy chickens.

Objective: To assess feasibility of the use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood and compare coagulation variables for fresh whole blood and sodium citrate-preserved whole blood as well as effects of 3 coagulation activators on blood from chickens.

Sample: Blood samples from 30 hens.

Procedures: Chickens were allowed to rest undisturbed for 1 hour.

Novel canine anti-Coccidioides immunoglobulin G enzyme immunoassay aids in diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis in dogs.

The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis (CM) in dogs is typically based on clinical presentation, serology, and (less frequently) spherule identification. Agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) is the most commonly employed serological method, but AGID is slow (requiring up to a week for titer). A Coccidioides antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is also available; however, sensitivity is low in CM dogs.

A monoclonal antibody-based urine Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (IMMY®) for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis in cats.

Background: An in-house Histoplasma urine antigen test for cats might be desirable in certain situations.

Objective: To validate and compare the diagnostic performance of a monoclonal antibody-based IMMY urine Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (IMMY EIA) to the commercially available urine Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (MiraVista Diagnostics, MV EIA).

Animals: One hundred ninety-three urine samples from 105 client-owned and purpose-bred research cats.

Feline histoplasmosis presenting with bone and joint involvement: clinical and diagnostic findings in 25 cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe clinical and diagnostic findings in cats with bone and joint disease associated with histoplasmosis.

Methods: Medical records from between 2011 and 2017 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria required: (1) diagnosis of histoplasmosis by cytology, histology, urine or serum antigen testing, or culture; and (2) lameness or joint effusion as a presenting complaint or physical examination finding.

Pretreatment Histoplasma capsulatum urine enzymatic immunoassay concentrations do not correlate with outcome but may be influenced by renal function in cats with histoplasmosis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if urine Histoplasma antigen (HAg) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) concentrations at the time of diagnosis and prior to the administration of antifungal agents are predictive of outcome for cats infected with Histoplasma capsulatum and to determine if compromised renal function affects urine HAg EIA measurements.

Methods: Medical records at four institutions were searched to identify cats diagnosed with histoplasmosis between April 2012 and December 2015. Pretreatment urine Histoplasma EIA values were recorded, along with patient signalment, serum creatinine concentration, urine specific gravity, site(s) of infection and survival data.

Clinical signs, treatment, and prognostic factors for dogs with histoplasmosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical manifestations of histoplasmosis in a large sample of dogs, compare outcomes achieved with fluconazole versus itraconazole, and identify variables available at the time of diagnosis with prognostic value. DESIGN Retrospective case series with nested cohort study. ANIMALS 79 dogs with confirmed histoplasmosis evaluated at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals from 1999 through 2015.