RESUMO O pênfigo foliáceo (PF) é considerado uma das doenças tegumentares autoimunes mais frequentes em cães. Clinicamente, caracteriza-se pela presença de pústulas, erosões e crostas. O exame histopatológico é considerado o teste diagnóstico de eleição, porém pode se mostrar inconclusivo, sobretudo quando os achados característicos da doença não são observados. Novas ferramentas diagnósticas têm sido desenvolvidas e os testes de imunofluorecência são uma valiosa alternativa. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a aplicabilidade das reações de imunofluorescência direta (IFD) e indireta (IFI) para o diagnóstico do PF canino. Vinte e oito cães foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo I com 14 cães com PF e grupo II (controle) com 14 cães com piodermite superficial (um dos principais diagnósticos diferenciais do PF). Todos os animais foram submetidos à biópsia cutânea, seguida de exame histopatológico e IFD. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para realização da IFI. Comparando-se os valores de IFD com o histopatológico, obtiveram-se valores de concordância de 75% (9/12), com índice Kappa de 0,77 (P<0,001). Já na IFI, a concordância foi de 100% (14/14), com índice Kappa de 1,0 (P<0,001). Concluiu-se, então, que a IFD e a IFI apresentaram excelentes resultados e podem ser consideradas novas alternativas diagnósticas do PF canino.

ABSTRACT Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs. It is characterized by pustules, erosions, and crusts which occur due to the presence of autoantibodies that target intercellular adhesion. Histopathological examination is considered the gold standard pattern in the diagnosis, but may sometimes be inconclusive, especially when the characteristic findings are not identified. New diagnostic tests are continuously being developed and immunofluorescence assays, could be a valuable alternative diagnostic tool. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of direct and indirect immunofluorescence (DIF and IIF) tests for the diagnosis of canine PF. Twenty eight dogs were divided into two groups: Group I with 14 dogs with PF and Group II (control) with 14 dogs with Superficial pyoderma (differential diagnoses of PF). All animals were submitted to skin biopsy to histopathological and DIF. Blood samples were collected to assess IIF. Comparing the DIF results against the histopathology test, there was an agreement of 75% (9/12) with a Kappa index of 0.77 (P<0.001). Considering IIF, the agreement was 100% (14/14), with a Kappa index of 1.0 (P<0.001). We conclude that DIF and IIF are highly effective and were useful and effective complementary examination tests for an improvement in the diagnosis of canine PF.

Realizou-se um estudo retro e prospectivo em 117 cães com prontuários suspeitos de apresentarem hipersensibilidade alimentar. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos: os do grupo I (n=86) foram atendidos em 1993 e 1994 e os do grupo II (n=31) em 1995. Os cães de ambos os grupos foram caracterizados quanto aos aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos. Os do grupo II foram submetidos a exames complementares para a diferenciação diagnóstica do prurido, incluindo: hemograma, micológico e parasitológico cutâneo, coproparasitológico, histológico de pele e sorológicos - RAST (radioimunoensaio) e ELISA (ensaio imunoenzimático) - ambos para determinação de IgE contra antígenos alimentares -, e ao exame da dieta de eliminação seguida pela exposição provocativa. Este último exame foi o mais confiável para o estabelecimento do diagnóstico, ao determinar que 20 cães, provenientes de ambos os grupos, eram alérgicos a alimentos. Pelos RAST e ELISA, não foi possível demonstrar resultados confiáveis quando comparados aos resultados com a dieta de eliminação. Os animais acometidos foram principalmente machos, com raça definida e na faixa etária de um a seis anos. Os principais alimentos incriminados foram a carne bovina, o arroz e a carne de frango.

From 1993 to 1995, 117 cases of dogs suspected of food hypersensitivity were reviewed and analyzed. The animals were distributed in two groups: group I included 86 dogs assisted in the first two years of the study; and group II included 31 dogs that were observed in 1995. Dogs from both groups were characterized according to clinical and epidemiological aspects. Animals from group II were also submitted to exams in order to eliminate other similar causes of pruritus and to establish the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity, including complete blood counting, fungal culture, skin scraping, fecal exam, skin histopathology, and RAST and ELISA (both for the detection of serum IgE against food allergens), as well as test of elimination diet followed by provocative exposure. Elimination diet test proved to be the most reliable tool for definitive diagnosis of food allergy, considering 20 dogs from both groups. It was possible to conclude that male pure bred dogs from one to six-year-old were most affected and RAST and ELISA were not reliable tests for the diagnosis. The most incriminated foods were beef, rice, and chicken.

Relata-se, pela primeira vez no Brasil, um caso de dermatite decorrente de infecção por micobactéria atípica do complexo Mycobacterium fortuitum-peregrinum, em espécie felina, sem raça definida, fêmea, com cinco anos de idade. Há oito meses, evoluía com lesões maculares equimóticas, nodulares, erosadas, ulceradas, acompanhadas de fístulas exsudativas, com intenso prurido e algia. Evidenciou-se a presença de micobactéria do complexo Mycobacterium fortuitum-peregrinum (grupo IV de Runyon ) identificada após evidenciação histopatológica, cultivo bacteriano e por testes bioquímicos. Após dois meses de terapia sistêmica com enrofloxacina (5mg/kg/Bid/VO) e tópica (triclosan e rifamicina) houve involução das lesões, com efeitos colaterais discretos.

A case of dermatitis caused by atypical mycobateria of Mycobacterium fortuitum peregrinum complex was observed for the first time in Brazil. A five-year-old female mixed breed cat had a dermatitis process which had started eight months before. Lesions were characterized by macules, nodules, erosions, ulcers and exsudative fistulas, with intensive pruritus and pain. It had failed to respond to clinical treatment and surgical excision. The diagnosis was based on history, physical and dermatologic examination and complementary tests (cytologic, bacterioscopic, bacterial culture, histopathological, hemathological, ultrasonographic, radiographic and electrocardiographic). The presence of mycobacteria of Mycobacterium fortuitum-peregrinum complex (group IV of Runyon) was observed and identified after histopathological evidence, bacterial culture and biochemical tests. After two months of systemic therapy with enrofloxacin (5mg/kg, orally/twice a day) and topic treatment with triclosan and rifamicin, rapid improvement of the clinical appearance of the lesions were observed with low incidence of side-effects.

Avaliou-se a eficácia de lactonas macrocíclicas (ivermectina e moxidectina) sobre a eventual ocorrência de efeitos colaterais e acompanharam-se, após a alta parasitológica, por 12 meses, os cães tratados, visando detectar a recidiva do quadro dermatopático. Dos 63 animais, 59% eram fêmeas, 76% apresentavam precisa definição racial e 67% tinham pelame curto. A ivermectina (0,6mg/kg/dia) foi administrada por via oral a 31 cães, e a moxidectina (0,5mg/kg/cada 72 horas), pela mesma via, a 32 animais. Os tempos médios para a obtenção da primeira negativação do exame parasitológico do raspado cutâneo e para a consecução da alta foram, respectivamente, de 90 e 130 dias para a ivermectina e de 108 e 147 dias para a moxidectina. A ivermectina acarretou menos (16,1%) efeitos colaterais em relação à moxidectina (37,5%) (P=0,03). As recidivas foram, respectivamente, 10,3% e 13% para ivermectina e moxidectina. Não houve diferença entre os dois protocolos de terapia quanto aos percentuais de recidiva (P=0,67) e eficácia (P=0,61). Ambas as lactonas macrocíclicas mostraram-se eficazes: ivermectina 89,7% e moxidectina 87%.

The efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin for treatment of generalized canine demodicosis, was evaluated to detect the eventual occurrence of side effects caused by the use of these drugs, and to follow the treated dogs for 12 months after obtaining parasitologic cure. Of 63 dogs, 59% were females, 76% were defined as purebred and 67% had short hair. Ivermectin (0.6mg/kg/daily) was orally administered to 31 dogs and moxidectin (0.5mg/kg/every 72 hours) to 32 dogs. The average number of days to obtain the first negative skin scraping results and the parasitologic cure were, respectively, 90 and 130 days for ivermectin, and 108 and 147 days for moxidectin. Ivermectin caused fewer side effects (16.1%) than moxidectin (37.5%) (P<0.05). The percentages of relapse were, respectively, 10.3% and 13.0% when ivermectin and moxidectin were administered. No difference between protocols of therapy was found for percentage of relapse (P>0.67) and efficacy (P>0.61). Both drugs were effective and safe to treat generalized canine demodicosis: ivermectin 89.7% and moxidectin 87.0%.

Descreve-se, pela primeira vez no Brasil, um caso de criptococose canina com acometimento oftalmo e dermatopático, com diagnóstico intra-vitam, em animal da raça Pastor Alemão, fêmea, com 24 meses de vida, criado em São Paulo, em contacto com outros cinco cães assintomáticos, que havia se infectado pelo contato com dejetos de pombos (Columba livia). Evoluia há 90 dias, com quadro tegumentar e ósseo, sintomas e lesões características, sendo, ainda, detectada forma assintomática de coriorretinite, de início unilateral. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido pelos dados da anamnese, dos exames físico, dermatológico e complementares (radiográfico, cultivo micológico, histopatologia de pele) tendo-se evidenciado e isolado cepa de Criptococcus neoformans var. neoformans. Após nove meses de terapia com itraconazol (9mg/kg/SID/VO) houve involução total do quadro, sem qualquer efeito adverso à droga.

A case of cryptococcosis with ocular and cutaneous involvement is reported by the first time in Brazil in a dog. A two-year-old female German Shepherd living in a hold house with other five healthy dogs was infected through the contact with pigeon (Columba livia) feces. The illness started 90 days previously with cutaneous and bone involvement resulting in characteristic clinical signs and lesions, in addition to a initially unilateral asymptomatic chorioretinitis. The diagnosis was established based on anamnesis, physical and dermatologic examinations and complementary exams (radiographs, skin biopsy and histopathology) and the isolation of a Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans strain was accomplished. There was a complete resolution of the disease after nine months of therapy using itraconazole (9mg/kg, q24h, PO) and no side effect was observed.