Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Aspergillus ear infections in dogs and cats - what to know
By Goodale, Elizabeth C et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2016·William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Aspergillus otitis in small animals--a retrospective study of 17 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs and cats were diagnosed with a fungal ear infection called Aspergillus otitis, which is relatively rare. The dogs, all weighing over 23 kg, often had other health issues or had been treated with medications that weakened their immune systems. Treatment involved antifungal medications, but those who also had their ears flushed under anesthesia or underwent surgery had a better chance of recovery. Most cases were seen in larger breed dogs and cats, and the infection was usually found in just one ear.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aspergillus spp. are saprophytic opportunistic fungal organisms and are a common cause of otomycosis in humans. Although there have been case reports of Aspergillus otitis externa in dogs, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first retrospective case series describing Aspergillus otitis in dogs and cats. OBJECTIVE: To characterize signalment, putative risk factors, treatments and outcomes of a case series of dogs and cats with Aspergillus otitis. ANIMALS: Eight dogs and nine cats diagnosed with Aspergillus otitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records from 1989 to 2014 identified animals diagnosed with Aspergillus otitis based on culture. RESULTS: All dogs weighed greater than 23 kg. The most common putative risk factors identified in this study were concurrent diseases, therapy causing immunosuppression or a history of an otic foreign body. Aspergillus otitis was unilateral in all study dogs and most cats. Concurrent otitis media was confirmed in three dogs and one cat, and suspected in two additional cats. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common isolate overall and was the dominant isolate in cats. Aspergillus niger and A. terreus were more commonly isolated from dogs. Animals received various topical and systemic antifungal medications; however, otic lavage under anaesthesia and/or surgical intervention increased the likelihood of resolution of the fungal infection. CONCLUSION: Aspergillus otitis is uncommon, typically seen as unilateral otitis externa in cats and larger breed dogs with possible risk factors that include immunosuppression and otic foreign bodies; previous antibiotic usage was common.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26748885/