Simona Toscano

Simona Toscano


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 February 2023 in Journal of Fungi
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AGAndrea Grassi
Andrea Grassi
MGMatteo Gambini
Matteo Gambini
MPMarianna Pantoli
Marianna Pantoli
STSimona Toscano
Simona Toscano
AAAnna Albertetti
Anna Albertetti
CCClaudia Cafarchia
Claudia Cafarchia
Cladosporium infections have a poor prognosis in animals, most likely due to a lack of knowledge about diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we described a case of a lethal Cladosporium allicinum infection in a captive bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) in Europe. One adult male bullfrog was referred with clinical signs of lethargy and a cutaneous nodule. Fungal infection was suspected on cytology and confirmed by histology and cultural isolation. The mold was identified by molecular methods using partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene and the ITS region of rDNA. Climbazole antifungal treatment was started but the frog died after 30 days, and necropsy was done. Pigmented hyphae and structures consistent with muriform bodies were found on a background of diffuse granulomatous inflammation at cytological and histopathological examinations. Fungal culture revealed the presence of pigmented fungi identified as Cladosporium allicinum only by partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene. A focally extensive granuloma with intralesional hyphae and muriform bodies effacing the architecture of head, liver, kidneys, lungs, and large intestine were retrieved after necropsy. This study is the first Italian report of the occurrence of lethal C. allicinum infection in a frog and highlights the role of this Cladosporium sp. in chromoblastomycosis.