An epidemiological survey investigated the prevalence of canine herpes virus-1 antibodies in a population of 325 pet dogs in England. Sera were analysed for the presence of canine herpes virus-1 neutralising antibody by means of a serum neutralisation test and for virus-specific IgG and IgM by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In contrast with published results from other parts of the world, canine herpes virus-1 infection was shown to be common among the domestic dog population of England.
This case report describes an atypical presentation of cryptococcal infection in a cat initially presented with multiple persistent pruritic exudative skin lesions, which did not subside following administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Both fungal culture and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)/feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) ELISA test yielded negative results. Cytological examination of the skin scrapings was consistent with infection by Cryptococcus, which was confirmed by both postmortem inspection and histopathological examination of the lesions. The observed multifocal skin lesions are the result of haematogenous dissemination of the yeast, which is generally seen in immunocompromised cats. Clinical signs of systemic infection by Cryptococcus include apathy and cachexia and may or may not follow classical nasal disease. Surprisingly, the cat described in this report was immunocompetent, presented in good general condition and with no nasal discharge.
> A 10-year-old female neutered miniature schnauzer presented with multifocal ulcerative and crusting lesions affecting the vulva, nasal planum, lips and oral mucosa (Figure 1). Biopsy samples were supportive of PV or paraneoplastic pemphigus. Upon referral, extensive imaging ruled out the latter. > Lesions were improved by immunosuppressive therapy with PO prednisolone (2mg/kg SID) and ciclosporin (5mg/kg BID). Chlorambucil (2mg SID) and oclacitinib (0.3mg/kg SID) were sequentially added which allowed to achieve remission.> Chlorambucil was stopped after development of neutropenia and oclacitinib as part of drug tapering.
cm> PV is one of the rarest autoimmune dermatosis with only 54 canine cases reported in the literature 1 .There is no consensus guidelines for the treatment of PV in companion animals and reported regimens vary widely 2 .> Oclacitinib is a selective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. JAK are involved in the signaling and transduction of many proinflammatory cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, and IL-31 3 . Human literature seems to indicate a role of JAK in the pathogenesis of PV with, among the key mediators, IL-4 and IL-6 4 .> The successful usage of oclacitinib, off-label, is increasingly described in autoimmune skin disease. Reports include a case of feline pemphigus foliaceus 5 , a dog with subepidermal blistering dermatosis 6 , 2 dogs with hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme and 4 dogs presenting a juvenile ischaemic dermatopathy 7 .
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