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Systemic mycosis due to Aspergillus deflectus in a dog
W F Robinson1, M D Connole, T J King
1School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia.
Australian Veterinary Journal
|October 7, 2000
Summary
A German Shepherd Dog presented with lameness and systemic illness, diagnosed with disseminated fungal granulomatosis caused by Aspergillus deflectus. This marks the first reported Australian case of this rare canine mycosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Mycology
- Canine Infectious Diseases
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Disseminated mycoses in dogs are uncommon, with limited reports of specific fungal agents.
- Aspergillus deflectus has been an infrequently identified cause of systemic fungal infections, primarily in specific geographic regions.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old German Shepherd Dog exhibited progressive lameness, weight loss, polydipsia, and poor condition.
- Clinical and radiographic findings included shoulder joint pain, mediastinal mass, and humeral head osteolysis.
- Laboratory results revealed lymphopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, proteinuria, isosthenuria, and fungal hyphae in urine and joint aspirates.
Findings:
- Necropsy confirmed disseminated fungal granulomatosis with caseating granulomas in multiple organs and osteomyelitis.
- Aspergillus deflectus was isolated from affected lymph nodes, with its identity confirmed via 18S rRNA sequencing.
- This case represents the first documented instance of Aspergillus deflectus-induced disseminated mycosis in Australia.
Implications:
- This report expands the known geographic distribution of Aspergillus deflectus as a veterinary pathogen.
- It highlights the importance of considering rare fungal infections in dogs presenting with complex clinical signs.
- Accurate identification of fungal agents, potentially through molecular methods, is crucial for understanding and managing disseminated mycoses.