title: Effect of sampling method and incubation temperature on fungal culture in canine sinonasal aspergillosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the most appropriate sampling procedure and the effect of incubation temperature on fungal culture in the diagnosis of canine sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen dogs with SNA and 20 dogs with non-fungal nasal disease entered a prospective study. Nasal secretions and mucosal biopsies were collected in all dogs. Fungal plaques were also sampled in dogs with SNA. Each specimen was taken in duplicate from each dog and incubated at room temperature and 37 degrees C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In dogs with SNA, nasal secretions, mucosal biopsies and fungal plaques yielded fungal growth at room temperature in one, one and seven dogs, respectively, whereas fungal growth was obtained at 37 degrees C in three, 12 and 14 dogs, respectively. No specimen collected from any dog with non-fungal nasal disease yielded fungal growth at room temperature or at 37 degrees C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of canine SNA is more likely to be confirmed following culture of mucosal biopsies or fungal plaques than nasal secretions sampled blindly with swabs. Incubating cultures at 37 degrees C is more likely to provide a diagnostic outcome than when samples are cultured at room temperature. Fungal culture of nasal specimens has good specificity for the diagnosis of SNA in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Billen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clercx
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Garérrès
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Massart
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mignon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peeters
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001530:Belgium; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D016015:Logistic Models; D009172:Mycology / Q000379:methods*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature