AUTHOR=Alonso Flavio H. , Fenton Heather , Muller Ananda , Freeman Mark A. , Becker Anne A. M. J. , Rolph Kerry , Abramo Nicole , Rawlins Gilda , Kitson Liam , Kessel Erica , Thrall Mary Anna 

TITLE=Case report: Disseminated Cladophialophora bantiana phaeohyphomycosis in a dog with hepatic dysfunction, and concurrent ehrlichiosis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1451299

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2024.1451299

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>A 1-year-old mixed breed dog initially presented with marked ascites due to a low-protein transudate resulting from portal hypertension. Laboratory evaluation revealed non-regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, evidence of hepatic insufficiency [hypoalbuminemia, decreased urea, increased post-prandial bile acids, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)] and <italic>Ehrlichia canis</italic> infection. Approximately a week later, the dog was declining and was euthanized. On autopsy, multifocal hepatic granulomas and acquired portosystemic shunts (APSS) were seen. Imprint cytology revealed fungal hyphae and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the liver and brain. Disseminated <italic>Cladophialophora bantiana</italic> phaeohyphomycosis was diagnosed by histologic examination, culture and PCR. Immunosuppression due to ehrlichiosis is suspected to have predisposed this animal to fungal infection. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of <italic>C. bantiana</italic> in the West Indies.</p>