Cavitary pulmonary lesion associated with Aspergillus fumigatus infection in a German shepherd dog.
A two-year-old female German shepherd dog was presented with chronic cough and haemoptysis. Thoracic radiographs revealed a thin-walled cavitary lesion within a consolidated left cranial lung lobe. Bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed a concurrent bacterial infection; however, despite antibiotic and anthelmintic therapy the clinical signs failed to resolve. A left cranial lung lobectomy was performed. Histopathology and fungal culture confirmed the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus. The necrotic cavity had features compatible with a bronchial origin, possibly a form of cystic bronchiectasis, arising either as a congenital anomaly or acquired secondary to infection. Surgery provided resolution of clinical signs for just over a year before the dog deteriorated again and was subsequently euthanised. Necropsy was declined by the owners. This case report presents a unique presentation in which the predominant clinical sign was coughing due to pulmonary involvement. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the left cranial lung lobe.
Kulendra
E
E
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Herts AL9 7TA.
Halfacree
Z
Z
Goggs
R
R
Dennis
S
S
Summers
B
B
Lamb
C R
CR
Brockman
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D055732:Pulmonary Aspergillosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*