Cutaneous Pythiosis in 2 Dogs, Italy

We report cutaneous pythiosis in 2 dogs in Italy that had recurrent exposure to the same freshwater habitat. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolates within Pythium insidiosum complex cluster IV, corresponding to P. periculosum. In Italy, pythiosis should be considered in differential diagnoses by human and veterinary health professionals.

Automated summary

We report two cases of cutaneous pythiosis in dogs in Italy, who were repeatedly exposed to the same freshwater habitat. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to cluster IV within the Pythium insidiosum complex, specifically identified as P. periculosum. In Italy, it is important for both human and veterinary health professionals to consider pythiosis in differential diagnoses.