Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immune response in dogs with Aspergillus sinus infection
By Vanherberghen, M et al.·Published in Veterinary immunology and immunopathology·2013·University of Liè·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cytokine and transcription factor expression by Aspergillus fumigatus-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in dogs with sino-nasal aspergillosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with sino-nasal aspergillosis, a fungal infection affecting the nasal passages, showed an unusual immune response when tested. These dogs had higher levels of a specific immune protein (IL-17A) compared to healthy dogs, indicating a strong inflammatory reaction. Interestingly, their immune cells were still able to produce other important proteins needed to fight the infection. This suggests that the dogs' inability to clear the fungal infection isn't due to a weak immune response, but rather an overactive inflammatory response. Treatment options for this condition typically include antifungal medications, which can help manage the infection.
People also search for: dog nasal infection treatment · sino-nasal aspergillosis in dogs · dog fungal infection symptoms
Abstract
The causal agent of sino-nasal aspergillosis is usually Aspergillus fumigatus, which is a saprophytic and ubiquitous fungus that causes a severe rhinosinusitis in apparent healthy dogs. Affected dogs do not have systemic immuno-suppression. It has been shown previously that dogs affected by this disease have local over-expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and Th1 cytokines in nasal mucosal tissue. The aim of the present study was to assess the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from affected and unaffected dogs to antigen-specific stimulation with heat-inactivated Aspergillus spp. conidia, by quantifying gene expression for specific Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cytokines and their related transcription factors. Quantification of IL-4 and IFN-γ protein in culture supernatant was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PBMC from dogs with SNA produced adequate mRNA encoding IFN-γ and IFN-γ protein. The expression of IL-17A mRNA was significantly greater in PBMC of affected compared with unaffected dogs. The amount of IL-10 mRNA in PBMC from affected dogs decreased after antigen-specific challenge. These results suggest that the incapacity of affected dogs to clear these fungal infections is not related to a defect in Th1 immunity or to an overwhelming regulatory reaction, but rather to an uncontrolled pro-inflammatory reaction driven by Th17 cells.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23759303/