Rastreio de fungos oculares em cães e gatos
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2018-10-23
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Os fungos são um grupo de microrganismos negligenciado na abordagem a um paciente aparentemente saudável, já que são considerados apenas agentes oportunistas, mas tem vindo a observar-se não só um aumento dos casos diagnosticados como da sua gravidade, o que se traduz numa maior morbilidade e mortalidade. O conhecimento da microbiota micológica normal dos olhos de cães e gatos, pode contribuir para diagnósticos mais precisos e para melhorar o prognóstico dos problemas oculares mais frequentes. O presente estudo consistiu na identificação dos géneros de fungos isolados a partir de amostras obtidas por zaragatoa do saco conjuntival de cães e gatos com e sem patologia ocular. Observou-se crescimento fúngico em 78,0% (n=39) dos cães. Em cães, o género fúngico mais prevalente foi Penicillium spp. (n=21; 42,0%), seguido por Cladosporium spp. (n=10; 20,0%), Alternaria spp. (n=4; 8,0%) e Aspergillus spp. (n=2; 4,0%). A levedura identificada foi Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n=7; 14,0%). A ocorrência foi significativamente mais elevada nos cães de raça indeterminada e as diferenças encontradas foram estatisticamente significativas. Observou-se crescimento fúngico em 65,6% (n= 21) dos gatos, nos quais o género de fungo filamentoso mais prevalente foi Penicillium spp. (n= 4; 12,5%). Os outros géneros de fungos filamentosos foram identificados em igual quantidade: Alternaria spp. (n=2; 6,3%), Aspergillus spp. (n=2; 6,3%) e Cladosporium spp. (n=2; 6,3%). A levedura identificada foi Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n=6; 18,8%). Não foi possível estabelecer qualquer relação entre a presença dos fungos com os sinais oculares presentes em alguns animais. O presente estudo sugere que os fungos isolados podem ser considerados parte da microbiota normal dos olhos de animais de companhia e que a sua presença poderá não estar implicada como causa de patologia na ausência de outros sinais que o sugiram. No entanto, estes resultados carecem de confirmação com estudos epidemiológicos apropriados.
Fungus are a microorganism group easily dismissed when approaching an apparently healthy patient, since they are usually considered to be opportunistic agents. However, an increase in diagnosed cases of fungal disease has been observed in the last few years, as well as an increased morbidity and morbility. Knowledge about normal ocular flora of cats and dogs could contribute to a more precise diagnosis and improve the outcome of the most common ocular pathologies. This study consisted in the isolation and identification of fungal genus from samples of ocular discharge collected with a swab from the conjunctival sac of cats and dogs with and without ocular disease. Fungal growth was observed in 78.0% (n=39) of dogs. In dogs the most prevalent genus was Penicillium spp. (n=21; 42.0%), followed by Cladosporium spp. (n=10; 20.0%), Alternaria spp. (n=4; 8.0%) and Aspergillus spp. (n=2; 4.0%). The only identified yeast was Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n=7; 14.0%). The occurrence was significantly higher in undefined race dogs and the differences where statistically significant. Fungal growth was observed in 65.6% (n= 21) of cats, in which the most prevalent genus of filamentous fungi was Penicillium spp. (n= 4; 12.5%). The other filamentous fungi were identified in similar percentages: Alternaria spp. (n=2; 6.3%), Aspergillus spp. (n=2; 6.3%) and Cladosporium spp. (n=2; 6.3%). The only identified yeast was Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n=6; 18.8%). No association was established between the presence of fungus and the presence of ocular disease signs. This suggests that the isolated fungus could be considered part of normal ocular flora and that their isolation should not be considered cause of illness unless further evidence is present. Nevertheless, these results require further confirmation, by means of appropriate epidemiological studies.
Fungus are a microorganism group easily dismissed when approaching an apparently healthy patient, since they are usually considered to be opportunistic agents. However, an increase in diagnosed cases of fungal disease has been observed in the last few years, as well as an increased morbidity and morbility. Knowledge about normal ocular flora of cats and dogs could contribute to a more precise diagnosis and improve the outcome of the most common ocular pathologies. This study consisted in the isolation and identification of fungal genus from samples of ocular discharge collected with a swab from the conjunctival sac of cats and dogs with and without ocular disease. Fungal growth was observed in 78.0% (n=39) of dogs. In dogs the most prevalent genus was Penicillium spp. (n=21; 42.0%), followed by Cladosporium spp. (n=10; 20.0%), Alternaria spp. (n=4; 8.0%) and Aspergillus spp. (n=2; 4.0%). The only identified yeast was Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n=7; 14.0%). The occurrence was significantly higher in undefined race dogs and the differences where statistically significant. Fungal growth was observed in 65.6% (n= 21) of cats, in which the most prevalent genus of filamentous fungi was Penicillium spp. (n= 4; 12.5%). The other filamentous fungi were identified in similar percentages: Alternaria spp. (n=2; 6.3%), Aspergillus spp. (n=2; 6.3%) and Cladosporium spp. (n=2; 6.3%). The only identified yeast was Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (n=6; 18.8%). No association was established between the presence of fungus and the presence of ocular disease signs. This suggests that the isolated fungus could be considered part of normal ocular flora and that their isolation should not be considered cause of illness unless further evidence is present. Nevertheless, these results require further confirmation, by means of appropriate epidemiological studies.
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olho , gato , cão , fungo , rastreio , patologia ocular