Long term survival in two German shepherd dogs with Aspergillus-associated cavitary pulmonary lesions

Disseminated fungal infection with Aspergillus versicolor and Schizophyllum commune in a dog

A two-year-old neutered male Coton de Tulear presented with lethargy, anorexia, and tachypnea. Cystic masses noticed at the cranial mediastinal region were diagnosed as granuloma containing hyphae of Aspergillus versicolor. Despite antifungal treatment using itraconazole, fluconazole, and voriconazole, the lesions spread to the lung. After euthanasia, Schizophyllum commune was identified in the lung and splenic lymph node. This is the first case of fungal infection caused by A. versicolor and S. commune in a dog.

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Two-year-old neutered male dog presented with lethargy and anorexia.

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Disseminated fungal infection caused by Aspergillus versicolor and Schizophyllum commune.

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Eventually euthanized humanely due to the severity of the disseminated lesions.

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Disseminated aspergillosis has poor prognosis despite aggressive antifungal agents.

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Antifungal resistance of aspergillosis is a newly emerging challenge.

Long term survival of a dog with disseminated Aspergillus deflectus infection without definitive treatment

Canine disseminated fungal infection by Aspergillus species carries a guarded to grave prognosis as they often rapidly progress and are refractory to treatment with many euthanased soon after diagnosis. This case report describes a 2.5 year old female spayed German Shepherd Dog diagnosed with disseminated Aspergillus deflectus infection for which definitive treatment was declined by the owners. With only palliative management the dog survived three years and two months before succumbing to chronic kidney disease.

Aspergillus versicolor, a new causative agent of canine disseminated aspergillosis

Disseminated aspergillosis in dogs has been associated with Aspergillus terreus or A. deflectus infection. We report a case of disseminated A. versicolor infection presenting as diskospondylitis, osteomyelitis, and pyelonephritis. The diagnosis was made based on clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings. The etiologic agent was identified by fungal culture and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing. This is the first description of canine aspergillosis caused by A. versicolor.