systemic presentation of Aspergillus spp with neurological involvement in a German Shepherd: Clinical case report

Abstract

Infections of the central nervous system are uncommon in dogs. Pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus, Cryptococcus spp, Blastomyces dermatitidis and cCccidioides immitis have been reported. An Aspergillus infection is mainly a respiratory event and very seldom it may become disseminated, the german shepherd seems to be the more prone to this type of aspergillosis specially if an immunological deficiency is present. A 1.5 year old female german shepherd from Cancun, Quintana Roo, state, in the southeast of Mexico was presented to the small animal hospital, she showed tetraparesis, hiporeflex and deep retarded sensitivity in all four members, loss of sensitivity in the left side of the face, absence of pupil reflex and menace reflex as well as absence of muscular tone of the vulva and anal sphincter. The third day after presentation, she died. At necropsy polyencephalomalace, mielitis and diffuse leucomielitis piogranomalotosus were found. In the cytology of lymph node and other tissues aspergilli like hiphae were observed, this was confirmed by using the highly specific double diffusion test. Then, a pcr test was carried out with tissue fixed in 10% formaldehyde, but it failed probably due to destruction of the dna.