Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To compare prevalence of organisms and histologic changes in eyes from dogs with blastomycosis that were either untreated or undergoing treatment with itraconazole. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: PROCEDURE: Signalment, results of ophthalmic examination, and duration of treatment with itraconazole were extracted from medical records. Histologic sections from eyes were examined for prevalence and viability (ie, budding) of fungal organisms. A scoring system was devised to assess the degree of inflammation. RESULTS: Clinically, all eyes were blind and had signs of severe endophthalmitis. Histologically, the type and degree of inflammation and prevalence of Blastomyces dermatitidis were not significantly different between dogs treated with itraconazole and untreated dogs or among groups of dogs treated for different time periods (4 to 14, 15 to 28, or 29 to 72 days). Replication of the organisms in vascular tissues as well as avascular spaces in the eyes was similar in treated and untreated dogs. Lens rupture was seen in 12 of 29 (41%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
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Authors | Diane V H Hendrix, Barton W Rohrbach, Philip N Bochsler, Robert V English |
Journal | Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(J Am Vet Med Assoc)
Vol. 224
Issue 8
Pg. 1317-22
(Apr 15 2004)
ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15112782
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antifungal Agents
- Itraconazole
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antifungal Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Blastomyces
(isolation & purification)
- Blastomycosis
(drug therapy, microbiology, pathology, veterinary)
- Dog Diseases
(drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)
- Dogs
- Endophthalmitis
(drug therapy, microbiology, pathology, veterinary)
- Female
- Itraconazole
(therapeutic use)
- Lens, Crystalline
(injuries, microbiology)
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
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