Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nasal aspergillosis diagnosis in dogs using blood test and tissue
By Pomrantz, Jill S et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2007·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of serologic evaluation via agar gel immunodiffusion and fungal culture of tissue for diagnosis of nasal aspergillosis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 58 dogs with nasal discharge underwent tests to determine if they had nasal aspergillosis, a fungal infection. The dogs were given a CT scan and rhinoscopy, and nasal tissue samples were taken for further examination. Out of the group, 21 dogs were diagnosed with nasal aspergillosis, while others had nonfungal rhinitis or nasal tumors. The study found that testing for antibodies against the fungus and culturing nasal tissue were both effective methods for diagnosing the infection, with fungal cultures being slightly more reliable. Treatment for nasal aspergillosis typically involves antifungal medications, and early diagnosis is key for successful recovery.
People also search for: dog nasal discharge treatment · nasal aspergillosis in dogs · dog fungal infection diagnosis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of serologic evaluation and fungal culture of tissue for diagnosis of nasal aspergillosis in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 58 dogs with nasal discharge and 26 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs with nasal discharge were anesthetized and underwent computed tomography and rhinoscopy; nasal tissues were collected for histologic examination and fungal culture. Sera were assessed for antibodies against Aspergillus spp (healthy dog sera were used as negative control specimens). Nasal aspergillosis was diagnosed in dogs that had at least 2 of the following findings: computed tomographic characteristics consistent with aspergillosis, fungal plaques detected during rhinoscopy, and histologically detectable fungal hyphae in nasal tissue. Histologic characteristics of malignancy were diagnostic for neoplasia. Without evidence of neoplasia or fungal disease, nonfungal rhinitis was diagnosed. RESULTS: Among the 58 dogs, 21 had nasal aspergillosis, 25 had nonfungal rhinitis, and 12 had nasal neoplasia. Fourteen aspergillosis-affected dogs and 1 dog with nonfungal rhinitis had serum antibodies against Aspergillus spp. Fungal culture results were positive for Aspergillus spp only for 17 dogs with aspergillosis. With regard to aspergillosis diagnosis, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 67%, 98%, 93%, and 84%, respectively, for serum anti-Aspergillus antibody determination and 81%, 100%, 100%, and 90%, respectively, for fungal culture. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that seropositivity for Aspergillus spp and identification of Aspergillus spp in cultures of nasal tissue are highly suggestive of nasal aspergillosis in dogs; however, negative test results do not rule out nasal aspergillosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17472556/