Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Systemic Acremonium fungal infection in a 2-year-old dog
By Ballhausen, Bianca D et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2016·Dr. Bianca D. Ballhausen, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Systemic Acremonium species infection in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old female Magyar Vizsla was brought to the vet with symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness, increased thirst and urination, and swollen lymph nodes. Tests revealed a fungal infection caused by Acremonium species, which was found in her urine and lymph nodes. The dog was treated with itraconazole, an antifungal medication, but had to have her dose cut in half due to side effects. Unfortunately, despite treatment, her condition worsened, leading to severe kidney issues and other serious symptoms, and she was euthanized four months later.
People also search for: dog fever swollen lymph nodes · Magyar Vizsla fungal infection · dog increased thirst urination treatment
Abstract
A 2-year-old female Magyar Viszla was referred with fever, lethargy, polyuria/polydipsia, and suspected systemic cryptococcosis. At presentation increased rectal temperature and enlarged lymph nodes were detected. Main laboratory abnormalities included lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and mildly reduced urine specific gravity. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Lymph node cytology revealed mycotic infection. Acremonium species was isolated from urine as well as from a popliteal lymph node by fungal culture. Therapy with itraconazol (10 mg/kg p. o. q 12 h) was initiated based on susceptibility testing, but dosage had to be reduced by half due to adverse effects. Despite treatment, the dog developed progressive azotemia. Four months after initial presentation, the patient showed anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, vomitus, neurological signs, and severe azotemia and was euthanized. Acremonium species are emerging opportunistic mould fungi that can represent a potential threat for immunocompromised humans. In dogs, only two cases of systemic infection with this fungal species have been reported so far. This case highlights the fact that systemic fungal infections should be considered as a differential in cases of fever and lymphadenopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27831590/