Phaeohyphomycotic dermatitis in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides

Abstract

We report here a clinical case of phaeohyphomycosis in an 18-year-old male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Skin lesions on the giant panda disappeared following 2 months of treatment with ketoconazole. Three months after discontinuing the treatment, there was a clinical and mycological relapse. The disease progression was no longer responsive to ketoconazole. Microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that the infection was caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides. A 4-month treatment regime with Itraconazole oral solution (700 mg per day) successfully terminated the infection.