Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Systemic fungal infection by Xylohypha bantiana in a dog
By Schroeder, H et al.·Published in Journal of the South African Veterinary Association·1994·Department of Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Systemic phaeohyphomycosis caused by Xylohypha bantiana in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old Maltese-cross dog was brought in for chronic neck and back pain, along with sudden circling, sensitivity to touch, and constant crying. The vet found signs of muscle wasting, stiff neck, and an enlarged liver. Tests revealed a serious fungal infection called systemic phaeohyphomycosis, which was linked to another infection from a tick-borne disease. Unfortunately, despite treatment efforts, the dog's condition did not improve, and she was euthanized. A post-mortem examination showed widespread fungal infection in her liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain.
People also search for: dog neck pain and crying · Maltese fungal infection treatment · dog euthanasia after liver disease
Abstract
An 8-year-old, Maltese-cross bitch presented with chronic neck and back pain and an acute onset of circling, hyperaesthesia and constant crying. Clinical examination revealed temporal muscle atrophy, an abnormal hanging reflex, cervical rigidity and severe hepatomegaly. Ultrasonography of the liver showed several disseminated, poorly demarcated, hypoechoic areas which on fine needle aspirates, contained large numbers of pigmented fungal hyphae. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed fungal hyphae and numerous Ehrlichia canis morulae. A diagnosis of systemic phaeohyphomycosis secondary to ehrlichiosis was proposed. Treatment was unsuccessful and the dog was euthanased. At necropsy, multiple yellowish-green to black, necro-granulomatous foci were found throughout the liver parenchyma and similar foci were present in the spleen, renal cortices and adrenal glands. Irregular, multifocal, grey to black foci of malacia were present in both the grey and the white matter of the brain. On histopathological examination pigmented fungal hyphae were demonstrated in the liver, spleen, kidneys, portal lymph node and adrenals, as well as in the brain. Cultures of various organs yielded a fungal organism identified as Xylohypha bantiana.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7602573/