Systemic Inonotus sp. Infection in a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Mycology
• Canine Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Systemic fungal infections are uncommon in dogs.
• Inonotus species are typically known plant pathogens.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old golden retriever presented with lethargy, anorexia, titubation, enlarged lymph nodes, and cardiac abnormalities.
• Fungal hyphae were identified in lymph node and spleen biopsies.
• PCR analysis identified the fungus as Inonotus pachyphloeus.

Findings:

• The dog was treated with itraconazole, fluconazole, and voriconazole, leading to temporary clinical improvement for 325 days.
• Sudden death occurred, suspected to be due to arrhythmia.
• Postmortem examination confirmed disseminated fungal infection.

Implications:

• This case represents a rare instance of systemic Inonotus sp. infection in a canine.
• Antifungal therapy may provide temporary remission but long-term outcomes remain uncertain.
• Further research is needed to understand Inonotus sp. pathogenesis and treatment efficacy in mammals.