Fungal skin infections in dogs on ciclosporin for immune diseases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous opportunistic invasive fungal infections (OIFIs) are mainly reported in immunosuppressed dogs, especially those receiving ciclosporin (CsA). Studies investigating factors other than CsA that favour cutaneous OIFIs in dogs are lacking. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To identify host factors, clinicopathological data, and therapeutic regimens associated with the development of cutaneous OIFIs in dogs receiving CsA for immune-mediated diseases. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs treated with CsA, with or without systemic glucocorticoids (GCs) for various immune-mediated diseases. Dogs were classified as cases if they had developed cutaneous OIFIs during CsA treatment, or as controls if they had not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases and controls were matched based on the immune-mediated disease and the duration of CsA treatment. Signalment, anamnestic and pertinent clinical data as well as selected laboratory parameters, including blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR), C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, total globulins and immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM serum levels, were retrospectively collected and analysed. RESULTS: Eight OIFI-affected dogs were matched with 20 control dogs. Among the examined variables, only higher neutrophil count and neutrophil ratios (NLR, NMR) were significantly associated with cutaneous OIFIs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No significant associations were observed between host factors, treatment regimens, and OIFI development in dogs receiving CsA. Further research is needed to clarify the role of GCs and to evaluate NLR and NMR as monitoring tools in immunosuppressed dogs.