Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Systemic Acremonium fungal infection in German Shepherd dog
By Simpson, K W et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1993·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Systemic mycosis caused by Acremonium sp in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old female German Shepherd was brought to the vet for ataxia (loss of coordination), a head tilt, not eating, lethargy, and weight loss that had been worsening over three weeks. The vet found signs of vestibular syndrome, swollen lymph nodes, eye problems, and abnormal lab results. After some tests, they discovered a fungal infection caused by Acremonium sp. The dog was treated with itraconazole for seven months, but unfortunately, she had to be euthanized due to ongoing vomiting and not eating. A postmortem exam confirmed the widespread fungal infection affected multiple organs.
People also search for: dog ataxia treatment · German Shepherd vomiting · Acremonium infection in dogs
Abstract
A 4-year-old female German Shepherd Dog was examined to determine the cause of ataxia, progressive head tilt, anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss of 3 weeks' duration. A vestibular syndrome, generalized lymphadenopathy, bilateral uveitis, and chorioretinitis with complete detachment of the left retina were detected. Abnormal clinicopathologic findings were isosthenuria and hyperglobulinemia. The non-functional left eye was enucleated and fungal organisms resembling Aspergillus spp were identified on histologic examination. Microbial culture of a urine sample yielded Acremonium sp, which was initially considered a contaminant. The dog was considered to have systemic aspergillosis and was treated with itraconazole for 7 months, until it was euthanatized because of persistent vomiting and anorexia. Postmortem examination revealed multisystemic pyogranulomatous and necrotizing inflammation of the myocardium, pericardium, liver, and kidneys; and granulomatous splenitis, lymphadenitis, retinitis, endometritis, and meningoencephalitis. Fungal culture of affected organs yielded Acremonium sp. These findings indicated that Acremonium spp can be pathogenic and should not be ignored when cultured.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8253622/