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==Description==

==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. The pathogen is a ubiquitous saprophyte and is found worldwide. Commonly affected species include birds, dogs, cats, horses and cattle but the disease has been reported in many other wild and domestic species.

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. The pathogen is a ubiquitous saprophyte and is found worldwide. 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 related to the formation of haemorrhagic lesions and enzymatic breakdown of tissue by elastase.

==Clinical signs and features==

==Clinical signs and features==

===Birds===

===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 pneumonic form and a nodular form involving the lungs. 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.

In avian species the disease manifests as a diffuse infection of the air sacs. Two forms of the disease have been reported; a diffuse pneumonic form and a nodular form involving the lungs. 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.

===Cattle===

===Cattle===

Aspergillosis has a number of clinical manifestations in the cow including mastitis, abortion, placentitis, ocular infections and mycotic pneumonia. Cows usually abort in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, usually between the fifth and seventh month of gestation.

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   

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.

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===

===Horses===

In the horse the guttural pouches are most commonly affected. Aspergillus infection may also lead to abortion.

In the horse the guttural pouches are most commonly affected. Aspergillus infection may also lead to abortion, keratomycosis and rarely pulmonary aspergillosis.  

===Dogs===

===Dogs===

==Diagnosis==

==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. Rhinoscopy may be used to directly visualise the lesions, revealing characteristic white-green fungal plaques. Fungal culture can be used to demonstrate the organism but should not be used as the sole means of diagnosis due to the ubitquitous nature of Aspergillus in the environment. Aspergillus grows on Sabauraud's Dextrose and Blood agar. White colonies form intitially which turn green, then dark green, flat and velvety

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. Rhinoscopy may be used to directly visualise the lesions, revealing characteristic white-green fungal plaques. Fungal culture can be used to demonstrate the organism but should not be used as the sole means of diagnosis due to the possibility of false . Aspergillus grows on Sabauraud's Dextrose and Blood agar. White colonies form intitially which turn green, then dark green, flat and velvety

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.

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.

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