A novel species of Penicillium, named Penicillium labradorum, was isolated from a Labrador retriever suffering from a severe disseminated fungal infection, showing clinical signs like lethargy and lameness.
Fine-needle biopsies revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation with numerous fungal elements, leading to the classification of the isolate and further molecular testing confirming it as a new species phylogenetically distinct from related species.
Antifungal susceptibility tests showed that the isolate was resistant to fluconazole but sensitive to other antifungals; despite treatment, the dog's condition worsened, resulting in euthanasia about 587 days post-diagnosis.
African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys spp.) are large rodents native to subSaharan Africa. Wild-caught pouched rats identified as Cricetomys ansorgei (n = 49) were imported from Tanzania.