Aspergillosis
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Description
Apergillosis is a disease of the respiratory system caused by several Aspergillus spp.. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most frequently reported species in domestic animals but Aspergillus tereus has also been implicated. Aspergillus is a ubiquitous saprophyte and is found world wide. It is also a component of normal hair, skin and mucosal flora in both humans and animals. Commonly affected species include birds, dogs, cats, horses and cattle but the disease has been reported in many other wild and domestic species. The pathogenesis of the disease remains largely unknown but is thought to be due to opportunistic infetion of mucosal or cutaneous surfaces facilitated by the enzyme elastase.
Clinical signs and features
Birds
In avian species the disease manifests as a diffuse infection of the air sacs. Two forms of the disease have been reported; a diffuse infection of the air sacs; a diffuse pneumonic form and a nodular form involving the lungs. In chicks and poults the disease is known as 'brooder pneumonia' and may affect many birds in a flock. Animals become infected due to inhalation of spores from contaminated feed or litter. Clinical signs include dyspnoea, diarrhoes, listlessness, pyrexia, loss of appetite and loss of condition. Seizures and torticollis may occasionally occur if infection disseminates to the brain.
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Cattle
Aspergillosis has a number of clinical manifestations in the cow including mastitis, placentitis, ocular infections and mycotic pneumonia. Abortion in the second or third trimester of pregnancy has also been described. Cases of diarrhoea in calves have also been reported. Clinical signs include Lesions are usually up to 2mm in diameter and contain asteroid bodies with a germinated spore in the centre. Acute infection causes miliary lesions and chronic infections causes granulomatous and calcified lesions.
Horses
In the horse, Aspergillus most commonly affects the guttural pouches but infection may also lead to abortion, keratomycosis and rarely pulmonary aspergillosis. Guttural pouch mycosis is characterised by epistaxis as a result of fungal erosion of the internal carotid artery. Other clinical signs include nasal discharge and dysphagia. Mycotic plaques are usually located on the caudodorsal aspect of the medial guttural pouch.
Dogs
Aspergillosis is a common cause of nasal disease in dogs. Cases occur most commonly in young to middle aged male dogs, but there is no apparent age or sex predilection. A higher prevalence of disease has been reported in doliocephalic breeds and outdoor/farm dogs. Clinical signs are those seens with any chronic nasal disease and include sneezing, unilateral or bilateral serosanguinous nasal discharge, ulceration of the nares, nasal pain and epistaxis. Neurological signs may be displayed if there is involvement of the cribiform plate. The disease is usually localised to the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity but a disseminated form with granulomas and infarcts has been reported in dogs, particularly German Shephards. The disseminated form of disease often involves multiple organ systems including the spleen and kidneys. Clinical signs include lethargy, anorexia, haematuria, urinary incontinence and haematuria. The vertebrae are frequently affected and osteomyelitis and discospondlylitis are common features. Dermatological signs of disseminated Aspergillosis include abscesses, draining tracts, oral ulcers and cutaneous nodules.
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Diagnosis
In dogs, radiology is often peformed in the diagnostic work up of an animal with suspected Aspergillosis. Open-mouth ventro-dorsal views often reveal generalised radiolucency and lysis of the turbinate bones. Additionally, cytological examination of aspirates often reveals presence of fungal hyphae with granulomatous to suppurative inflammation and necrosis. Rhinoscopy may also be used to directly visualise the lesions, revealing characteristic white-green fungal plaques and destruction of the nasal turbinates. It also allows collection of material for fungal culture. This may be achieved using Sabouraud's dextrose agar in order to demonstrate the organism but should not be used as the sole means of diagnosis due to the ubiquitous nature of Aspergillus in the environment. White colonies form intitially which turn dark green, flat and velvet-like in appearance.
Treatment
In dogs, the treatment of choice is topical application of the anti-fungal agent Clotrimazole. It is admnistered via indwelling catheters placed through a trephine hole in the frontal sinus.
References
- Carter, G. R., Wise, D. J. (2004) Essentials of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology Wiley-Blackwell
- Ettinger, S. J. (2000) Pocket Companion to Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Elsevier Health Sciences
- Muller, G. H., Scott, D. W., Kirk, R. W., Miller, W. H., Griffin, C. E. (2001) Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology Elsevier Health Sciences
Aspergillus sporing heads
Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath
Aspergillus mycelium stained with blue/black Quink
Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath
Mycotic Abortion caused by Aspergillus
Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath
Mycotic Abortion caused by Aspergillus
Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath
Mycotic Abortion caused by Aspergillus
Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath
Nasal Aspergillus
Copyright Professor Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc, PHD, C. Biol.F.I.Biol., FRCPath
Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus hyphae in cattle lung
(Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)
Nasal aspergillosis
(Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)
