Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to detect Pythium infection in dog tissue samples
By Nelly O. Elshafie et al.·Published in Veterinary Sciences·2022·Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA, CH·View original on DOAJ →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Nested PCR Detection of <i>Pythium</i> sp. from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Canine Tissue Sections
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with skin or gastrointestinal issues were tested for an infection called pythiosis caused by the organism Pythium insidiosum, which can be serious and even fatal if untreated. Researchers found that using a special DNA test (nested PCR) was more effective in detecting this organism than traditional tissue staining methods, identifying the infection in 76.9% of cases compared to 57.7% with histopathology. This study highlights the importance of using both testing methods for a more accurate diagnosis of pythiosis in dogs. With proper identification and treatment, affected dogs can have a better chance of recovery.
People also search for: dog skin infection treatment · pythiosis in dogs symptoms · how to diagnose pythium infection in dogs
Abstract
<i>Pythium insidiosum</i> is an infectious oomycete affecting dogs that develop the cutaneous or gastrointestinal form of pythiosis with a poor prognosis. If left untreated, pythiosis may be fatal. This organism is not a true fungus because its cell wall and cell membrane lack chitin and ergosterol, respectively, requiring specific treatment. Identifying the organism is challenging, as a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain poorly stain the <i>P. insidiosum</i> hyphae and cannot be differentiated conclusively from other fungal or fungal-like organisms (such as <i>Lagenidium</i> sp.) morphologically. Our study aimed to develop a nested PCR to detect <i>P. insidiosum</i> and compare it with the traditional histopathologic detection of hyphae. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue scrolls from 26 dogs with lesions suggesting the <i>P. insidiosum</i> infection were assessed histologically, and DNA was extracted from the FFPE tissue sections for nested PCR. Agreement between the histologic stains, (H&E), periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), and/or Grocott methenamine silver (GMS) and the nested PCR occurred in 18/26 cases. Hyphae consistent with <i>Pythium</i> sp. were identified via histopathology in 57.7% of the samples, whereas the nested PCR detected <i>P. insidiosum</i> in 76.9% of samples, aiding in the sensitivity of the diagnosis of pythiosis in dogs. Using this combination of techniques, we report 20 canine cases of pythiosis over 18 years in Indiana and Kentucky, an unexpectedly high incidence for temperate climatic regions. Using a combination of histopathology evaluation and nested PCR is recommended to aid in the accurate diagnosis of pythiosis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9080444