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case_images: Hematological progress of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) treated for fungal dermatitis. On day 0, a nodule was found on the tail fin of the managed female bottlenose dolphin. White diamond, minor surgical debridement (days 8, 41, and 51); black diamond, surgical resection (days 64 and 85). Detailed doses and duration of medicines are described in Supplementary Tables S1 and S2.
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case_images: These findings indicated clinical inflammation in the dolphin (Figure 1). However, despite comprehensive antibacterial treatment (Figure 1, Supplemental Table S1) and minor surgical debridement on days 8, 41, and 51, the nodules progressed to severe dermatitis. To prevent fungal transmission from dermatitis, the tail fin edge was surgically removed on days 64 and 85 (Figure 1).
case_images: Dermatitis on the tail fin of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). (a) Isolated filamentous fungi on a Sabouraud dextrose agar plate. (b) Isolated filamentous fungi with septate, moderately curved macroconidia, characteristic of Fusarium spp., viewed with lactophenol cotton blue staining (Bar = 10 mum).
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case_images: The swabbed dermatitis specimens were cultured on day 45, and the same type of unidentified filamentous fungi that were observed on day 8 were found again (Figure 2a). Tokyo, Japan), the isolated filamentous fungi showed septate and moderately curved macroconidia, which is characteristic of Fusarium spp. (Figure 2b).
case_images: Histopathological examination of the excised tail fin. (a) In the subcutaneous tissue, granulomas mixed with neutrophils were observed. Brown fungal hyphae (arrowheads) are scattered within the granuloma. The fungi were 1-3 mum thick, branched, segmented, and straight, although some were curved (insert) (bar = 25 mum; bar (insert) = 10 mum). (b) The epidermis was ulcerated and defective. A wide area of necrosis was seen in the superficial layer of the dermis, with many hyphae observed in the necrotic tissue. Fungal growth in necrotic tissue showed a slightly bluish color, a slightly more robust curvature with an average diameter of 2-5 mum, and bifurcations and septa (arrowheads). Brown fungi were also identified in the necrotic tissue. Periodic acid-Schiff staining revealed that the hyphae were markedly red-purple (insert; arrowhead) (bar = 250 mum; bar (insert) = 10 mum).
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case_images: Histopathological examination of the excised tail fin edge revealed granulomas intermingled with neutrophils in the subcutaneous tissue (Figure 3a). Brown hyphae were scattered within the granulomas (Figure 3a). The fungi were 1-3 mum thick, branched, segmented, and straight, although some were also curved (Figure 3a: insert). Some fungi were brownish, whereas others had a bluish coloration, showing marked curvature, branching, and septation (Figure 3b). Periodic acid-Schiff staining showed that the hyphae had a remarkable red-purple color (Figure 3b, insert).
case_images: Wound healing progress. Left panels: the tail fin from the dorsal side. Center panels: wound on the tail fin from the dorsal side. Right panels: cross section of the wound. PHMB, polyaminopropyl biguanide.
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case_images: The extent of tissue removal was minimized by selectively removing the necrotized tissue from the dorsal side while preserving the non-damaged tissue on the ventral side (Figure 4). During antifungal treatment, daily debridement was implemented (days 51-174) (Figure 4). B. Braun Medical AG, Sempach, Switzerland) for an average of 12.1 min/day (days 85-102) (Figure 4). Daily debridement was discontinued on day 174 because the wound had almost completely resolved (Figure 4).