Fungal infections constitute a group of contagious diseases caused by both filamentous fungi and yeast-like organisms. These pathogens most commonly affect the skin and claws, but may also involve mucous membranes and internal organs.

The era of widespread overuse of antibiotics and corticosteroids represents one of the most significant predisposing factors for fungal infections; however, mycoses may also arise as a consequence of severe diseases that induce immunosuppression.

Learn more about our diagnostic tests to ensure accurate patient diagnosis.

Companion animals

photo by Anna Bogucka

MYCOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS

Companion animals

Yeast-like fungi

Material

  • swabs in agar medium collected from wounds, nasal passages, oral cavity, ocular structures, and the external auditory canal
  • urine (exclusively collected by cystocentesis)
  • body fluids (pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid)
  • respiratory tract washings
  • feces

Notes

Specimens collected prior to the initiation of therapy – particularly topical treatment – are the most valuable for diagnostic purposes. If treatment has already been instituted, samples should be obtained immediately before administration of the next dose, when drug concentrations are at their lowest.

Direct Smear Preparations

For swab samples collected from skin lesions and the external ear canal, it is recommended to additionally submit direct smear preparations on a microscope slide in order to assess the presence of yeast-like fungi (this information is also included in the final report).

 

Storage and transport

Material obtained from samples originating from non-sterile body sites—such as urine, feces, tracheal wash (TTW), or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) – should be stored at 4–8 °C to prevent fungal proliferation within the sample. The material should be processed in the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Dermatophytes

Material

  • hair/fur together with the roots
  • claws
  • skin scrapings

Specimens should be collected from the margin of the lesions. Hair/fur should not be collected from the central area, as this is where regeneration of healthy hair occurs most rapidly and where non-viable fungal elements are present. Samples for dermatophyte testing should be obtained from patients prior to the initiation of antifungal therapy or at least 4 weeks after completion of treatment. In cases where systemic antifungal agents have been used, the time required for drug elimination should be taken into account, as it depends on the pharmacokinetics of the specific preparation.

Storage and transport

The collected material should be placed in a sterile, dry container to prevent contamination with environmental microorganisms and fungi.

It is recommended to store the sample at room temperature and deliver it to the laboratory within a maximum of 48 hours.

Which test should be selected?

Culture PCR
Detects only viable dermatophytes – therefore also recommended for treatment monitoring Detects both viable and non-viable dermatophytes.
Dermatophyte growth may be inhibited by contaminating mold fungi. Higher sensitivity (no interference from molds affecting the test result).
Possibility to detect rare dermatophyte species. Detects the most important species (Trichophyton spp., Microsporum canis, Nannizia gypsea)​.
Lower cost, but longer turnaround time (10–21 days). Higher cost, but results available within 3–7 days.

What does contamination mean?

Dermatophytes such as Microsporum and Trichophyton are keratinophilic filamentous fungi characterised, among other features, by slow growth rates. Despite the use of culture media designed to inhibit mold growth, there remains a possibility of mixed fungal growth, including organisms other than dermatophytes. Such growth indicates contamination, in which case it may not be possible to confirm or exclude the presence of pathogenic fungi in the sample using culture-based methods.

Aspergillus Spp. (mold fungi)

Material

  • swab with and without transport medium
  •  respiratory tract washings

The sample for testing should be collected from the same site using two sterile swabs moistened with physiological saline. One swab should be placed in transport medium, while the second should be submitted without transport medium.

Notes

It should be noted that mold fungi are widely distributed in the environment; therefore, in cases of culture of atypical mold fungi (other than Aspergillus), it is recommended to repeat the examination in order to exclude incidental mycobiota and to confirm a potential aetiological agent.

Storage and transport

Respiratory tract washings should be stored at 4–8 °C to prevent fungal proliferation within the specimen. The material should be processed within 24 hours of collection.

Superficial mycoses (reptiles)

Culture

The panel includes mold fungi, dermatophytes, and yeast-like fungi. It is essential to submit an adequate amount of material to allow culture to be set up for all target fungal groups. It is essential to submit an adequate amount of material to allow culture to be set up for all target fungal groups. It should be noted that the humid environment in which animals live means that fungi may also be isolated from clinically healthy individuals. This particularly applies to fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Trichosporon, Rhodotorula, and Candida.

Material

  • scrapings

It should be noted that some fungi isolated from reptiles may require additional identification by sequencing; therefore, the turnaround time may be extended in cases of suspected Nannizziopsis guarroi / Nannizziopsis vriesii.

Additional tests

Metarhizium spp (PCR)

Material: cell-rich swab

 

Nannizziopsis quarroi (PCR)

Material: cell-rich swab from skin or organs

 

Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (snakes)(PCR)

Material: cell-rich swab or biopsy from skin

Laboratory diagnostics

made simple

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Laboratory diagnostics

made simple

VETEO Logo mini