Disseminated Rasamsonia argillacea species complex infections in 8 dogs

Abstract

Background Clinical features, treatment, and outcome of opportunistic infections with Rasamsonia spp., a nonpigmented filamentous mold, are not well documented in dogs. Objectives Describe clinical, radiographic, pathologic features, and outcome of dogs with disseminated Rasamsonia species complex infections. Animals Eight client‐owned dogs. Methods Retrospective case series. Medical records were reviewed to describe signalment, history, clinicopathologic and imaging findings, microbiologic and immunologic results, cyto‐ and histopathologic diagnoses, treatment, and outcome. Results Presenting complaints were nonspecific with anorexia (n = 5) and back pain (n = 4) most common. Five dogs were German Shepherd dogs. Six dogs had multifocal discospondylitis and 2 had pleural effusion. Six dogs had Rasamsonia piperina and 2 had Rasamsonia argillacea infections with isolates identified using DNA sequencing. Rasamsonia spp. were isolated by urine culture in 5 of 7 dogs. Five of 6 dogs had positive serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results. Median survival time was 82 days, and 317 days for dogs that survived to discharge. Four died during initial hospitalization (median survival, 6 days). All isolates had low minimum effective concentrations (MECs) to echinocandins with variable minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for azole antifungal drugs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Rasamsonia spp. infections in dogs are associated with multisystemic disease involving the vertebral column, central nervous system, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. The infection shares clinical features with other systemic mold infections and can be misidentified when using phenotypical microbiologic methods. Molecular techniques are required to identify the organism and guide appropriate antifungal treatment.

Determining the prevalence and risk factors for positive bacterial culture in canine discospondylitis: 120 cases

“…First, it ensures that the appropriate class of therapeutic agent has been selected. While bacterial discospondylitis is by far the most common aetiology, fungal and algal organisms have also been identified 4–6 . Second, it supports antimicrobial stewardship and de‐escalation of therapy as appropriate.…”

“…While bacterial discospondylitis is by far the most common aetiology, fungal and algal organisms have also been identified. [4][5][6] Second, it supports antimicrobial stewardship and de-escalation of therapy as appropriate. In this cohort of animals, the antimicrobial agent was changed in 13 dogs (11.2%), due to culture and sensitivity results in 11 and due to poor clinical response during the hospitalisation period in two.…”

“…[1][2][3] The infectious agent is most commonly bacterial; however, fungal and algal organisms have also been identified. [4][5][6] Diagnosis is made through a combination of history, physical examination and characteristic diagnostic imaging findings. 7 Attempted identification of the infectious cause is often undertaken by culturing a number of sample types, including urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and percutaneous fine needle aspiration of the IVD.…”

“…Infection most commonly arises from haematogenous spread; however, migrating foreign bodies and iatrogenic introduction of infectious agents are also reported 1–3 . The infectious agent is most commonly bacterial; however, fungal and algal organisms have also been identified 4–6 …”

Disseminated Rasamsonia argillacea complex infection presenting as intraventricular brain hemorrhage in a German shepherd dog in Australia

“…Systemic mycosis due to R. argillacea complex causing has been reported in 11 cases in dogs seven of which were in GSDs in the UK and USA [ 7 , [11] , [12] , [13] ]. Affected animals had clinical signs in various body systems including nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, lymphatic, and urinary systems.…”