Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from corneal ulcers of dogs

A total of 22 clinical specimens were obtained from 19 dogs with corneal ulcer (16 unilateral and three bilateral) for isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility evaluation of the isolated bacteria. Bacterial growth was observed in 100 percent of the samples (n=22). Staphylococcus intermedius was the predominant species (35.5 percent), followed by Corynebacterium xerosis (19.3 percent). Gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and tobramycin had a high efficacy against all of the isolated bacteria. The results evidenced that 80.7 percent of the isolates were Gram positive cocci and Gram positive bacilli, and that those microorganisms were sensitive to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and tobramycin.

Utilizaram-se 22 amostras de material, obtidas de 19 cães com úlcera de córnea, sendo 16 unilaterais e três bilaterais, para isolamento e avaliação da susceptibilidade antimicrobiana das bactérias isoladas. Observou-se crescimento bacteriano em 100 por cento das amostras (n=22). A espécie predominante foi Staphylococcus intermedius (35,5 por cento) seguido de Corynebacterium xerosis (19,3 por cento). Gentamicina, ciprofloxacina, cloranfenicol e tobramicina apresentaram alta eficácia contra todas as bactérias isoladas. Os resultados evidenciam que 80,7 por cento dos isolados foram cocos e bacilos Gram positivos e que estes microrganismos foram sensíveis à gentamicina, ciprofloxacina, cloranfenicol e tobramicina.

Phenotypic characterization of three clinical isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Ceará, Brazil

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis was found in a small cluster of cases in Tejuçuoca, Ceará, Brazil. Tests were carried out to determine its phenotypic characteristics: colony morphology on Ashdown agar and MacConkey agar, biochemical profile in conventional biochemical tests and API 20NE, arabinose assimilation and susceptibility testing by disk diffusion, comparing with data in the literature. This study confirms the presence of B. pseudomallei in Brazil and describes its characteristics.

Onychomycosis in Ceará (Northeast Brazil): epidemiological and laboratory aspects

Knowledge of epidemiological and mycological characteristics of onychomycosis has been noted by many authors as being an important tool for control of these fungal infections. This study seeks to improve knowledge of onychomycosis epidemiology and mycological features. Samples were taken from infected fingernails and toenails of 976 patients undergoing treatment at a respected Dermatology Center in Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Specimens from 512 patients (52 percent) were positive for onychomycosis. From the culture-positive samples, yeasts of the genus Candida (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis) were dominant. The dermatophytes isolated (Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes) were dominant in 46 patients (12.99 percent). The mould Fusarium spp. was isolated from 29 patients (8.19 percent). Yeast of the genus Candida is the main causal factor in onychomycosis in our region. Also, the study showed the importance of performing direct examination and culture in diagnosis of onychomycosis.

Dermatophytes and saprobe fungi isolated from dogs and cats in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil

The possible involvement of saprobe fungi in dermatomycoses, as well as the determination of the incidence of dermatophytes in dogs and cats were studied. During a period of one year, 74 dogs and 18 cats, with cutaneous lesions suggesting mycoses were included in this study. The mycological analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud agar, chloramphenicol Sabouraud agar and mycosel agar. Of the 92 samples, 21 resulted in positive cultures for dermatophytes. Dematophyte fungi pure cultures were obtained from 13 samples. A simultaneous growth of dermatophytes plus saprobe fungi was observed in 8 of the samples. Of the remaining 71 samples, no fungal growth was observed in 10 samples, and at minimum the growth of one saprobe fungi in 61. One, two and three genera of saprobe were isolated in 29, 30 and 2 samples, respectively. Microsporum canis was isolated in 6 (28.6 per cent) and 10 samples (47.6 per cent) from cats and dogs, respectively, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2 (9.5 per cent) and 3 samples (14.3 per cent) from cats and dogs, respectively. The following genera of saprobe fungi were also isolated: Alternaria sp (1.9 per cent), Chaetomium sp (1.9 per cent), Rhizopus sp (2.9 per cent), Curvularia sp (3.9 per cent), Candida sp (6.8 per cent), Trichoderma sp (6.8 per cent), Fusarium sp (7.8 per cent), Cladosporium sp (8.7 per cent), Penicillium sp (21.4 per cent) and Aspergillus sp (37.9 per cent)

Coccidioidomicose pulmonar aguda: primeiro surto epidêmico descrito no Ceará - segundo no Brasil / Acute pulmonar coccidioidomycosis: first epidemic outbreak in Ceara - second in Brazil

Os autores descrevem um surto de coccidioidomicose aguda em caçadores de tatu em Aiuaba, Cear . Revisam a literatura brasileira sobre esta micose. Verificam que todos os casos säo oriundos da regiÝo Nordeste. Apontam caçadores de tatu como grupo de risco. Alertam para a inclusäo do Brasil entre os países endêmicos e para a consideraçäo da doença no diagnóstico diferencial das pneumonias na prática médica. Destacam a importância da realizaçäo de inquéritos epidemiológicos para definir a situaçäo da coccidioidomicose no país.