Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Testing fungal DNA in blood and tissue to diagnose dog nasal
By Peeters, Dominique et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2008·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Whole blood and tissue fungal DNA quantification in the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with nasal problems, including a 5-year-old Beagle with chronic sneezing and nasal discharge, were tested for a fungal infection called sino-nasal aspergillosis. Researchers looked for fungal DNA in blood and nasal tissue samples to see if it could help diagnose the condition. They found that detecting fungal DNA in nasal tissue was more reliable than in blood, but the overall effectiveness of the tests varied. While the nasal tissue test showed some promise, it wasn't perfect, and the blood test didn't help at all. Ultimately, the study suggests that while testing for fungal DNA can be useful, it should be combined with other diagnostic methods for better accuracy.
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Abstract
Various combinations of tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis (SNA) because false-positive and false-negative results can occur with each test. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether detection of fungal DNA in blood and nasal tissue samples was of value in the clinical diagnosis of this disease. Four groups were included in the study (dogs with SNA, lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis or nasal neoplasia, and control animals). Real-time PCR assays detecting DNA from all Penicillium and Aspergillus species (PenAsp assay) or species-specific DNA from A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. flavus and A. niger were applied to whole blood and nasal tissue samples. Results obtained by PCR were compared between the groups. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for fungal DNA detection were compared with those for alternative diagnostic procedures including histopathology, serology and fungal culture. Significantly more fungal DNA was detected by the PenAsp assay in tissue biopsies from dogs with SNA than in the three other groups. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for this method were 1.00, 0.06, 0.32 and 1.00. A. fumigatus DNA was detected in seven tissue biopsies from dogs with SNA and in one biopsy from a dog with a nasal tumour. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for this diagnostic test were 0.50, 0.97, 0.87 and 0.82. No significant difference was found between the groups with respect to the amount of DNA detected in blood by the PenAsp assay. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for this method were 0.71, 0.24, 0.31 and 0.64. A. fumigatus DNA was detected in the blood of three dogs with SNA and sixteen dogs without SNA. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for this diagnostic tool were 0.21, 0.45, 0.15 and 0.54. Detection of A. fumigatus DNA in nasal tissue had the highest specificity, PPV and NPV but sensitivity of this method was low. Detection of fungal DNA in whole blood was of no value in the diagnosis of SNA.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18023298/