MULTIFOCAL ASPERGILLUS-TERREUS DISCOSPONDYLITIS IN 2 GERMAN-SHEPHERD DOGS

Multifocal fungal (Aspergillus terreus) discospondylitis was diagnosed in 2 German shepherd dogs. In one dog, the aetiology was established by means of fluoroscopic-guided disc aspiration, cytology and culture of disc material and urine. Disseminated aspergillosis was confirmed a t necropsy and A. terreus cultured from numerous organs in this dog. T he aetiology in the other dog was not established until therapeutic fa ilure forced surgical curettage of disc material from which the fungus was cultured. Ketoconazole therapy failed to effect an improvement, a nd at necropsy, disease was localised to the spinal column, with A. te rreus cultured from the affected discs and associated vertebrae, Immun odeficiency was suspected in both cases. In the case of disseminated d isease a reduced lymphocyte blastogenic response was demonstrated. Red uced IgA was shown in both cases. The German shepherd breed seems to b e predisposed to Aspergillus infections and IgA deficiency.