Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Aspergillus terreus fungal spine infection in two German shepherd dogs
By Berry, W L & Leisewitz, A L·Published in Journal of the South African Veterinary Association·1996·Department of Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Multifocal Aspergillus terreus discospondylitis in two German shepherd dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two German shepherd dogs were diagnosed with a serious fungal infection called discospondylitis caused by Aspergillus terreus, which affected their spinal discs. In one dog, the infection was confirmed through a procedure that involved taking a sample from the affected area, while the other dog required surgery to collect disc material after initial treatments failed. Unfortunately, treatment with ketoconazole, an antifungal medication, did not help either dog, and both were found to have severe infections at the time of their necropsies. This breed appears to be more susceptible to these types of infections and may have underlying immune issues.
People also search for: German shepherd fungal infection · discospondylitis treatment in dogs · Aspergillus terreus in dogs
Abstract
Multifocal fungal (Aspergillus terreus) discospondylitis was diagnosed in 2 German shepherd dogs. In one dog, the aetiology was established by means of fluoroscopic-guided disc aspiration, cytology and culture of disc material and urine. Disseminated aspergillosis was confirmed at necropsy and A. terreus cultured from numerous organs in this dog. The aetiology in the other dog was not established until therapeutic failure forced surgical curettage of disc material from which the fungus was cultured. Ketoconazole therapy failed to effect an improvement, and at necropsy, disease was localised to the spinal column, with A. terreus cultured from the affected discs and associated vertebrae. Immunodeficiency was suspected in both cases. In the case of disseminated disease a reduced lymphocyte blastogenic response was demonstrated. Reduced IgA was shown in both cases. The German shepherd breed seems to be predisposed to Aspergillus infections and IgA deficiency.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9284036/