Pythium Tests
Pythium insidiosum (and cryptic species P. periculosum), the causative agent of pythiosis, are a fungal-like pathogens classified as oomycetes. Dogs are more often affected than cats, but any mammal is susceptible. Pythiosis is uncommon in humans, most often causing ocular or vascular disease. Pythium is intolerant of cold and is most commonly found in the Southern U.S. – although pythiosis has been diagnosed from CA to AZ to FL to WI, and everywhere in between. There are seasonal trends, with most dogs being diagnosed from September to February.
