INVASIVE HYPHOMYCOTIC RHINITIS IN A CAT DUE TO METARHIZIUM-ANISOPLIAE

Invasive mycotic rhinitis was diagnosed in a cat with a I-month histor y of stertor, nasal discharge and subcutaneous swelling of the nasal b ridge. Histology demonstrated fungal hyphae in representative biopsies of the nasal cavity and subcutaneous mass. Mycological culture demons trated a pure growth of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae. The in fection was treated with orally administered itraconazole. This is the first well documented case of infection by M anisopliae in a mammalia n host.