Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Aspergillus otitis in small animals--a retrospective study of 17 cases.
- Journal:
- Veterinary dermatology
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Goodale, Elizabeth C et al.
- Affiliation:
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital · United States
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 17 cases of Aspergillus otitis, a fungal ear infection, in dogs and cats. The animals included eight dogs, all weighing over 23 kg, and nine cats. The researchers found that the infection usually affected one ear and was more common in pets with other health issues or those that had received treatments that weakened their immune systems. The most effective treatments included antifungal medications, but cleaning the ear under anesthesia or surgery helped improve the chances of recovery. Overall, the treatment worked well for these pets, leading to resolution of the infection.
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: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26748885/