Rhinomycosis in a Dog Caused by Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

This paper delineates the significance of Aspergillus flavus as the possible cause of chronic rhinitis in a 4-year-male German shepherd dog. The affected dog exhibited the signs of dullness, intermittent anorexia, mild dyspnea, sneezing, and bilateral sanguineous nasal discharge. The fungus was repeatedly demonstrated in the nasal exudates both by direct microscopy in wet mount preparation of potassium hydroxide, and by the isolation on mycological media. There was no growth of Cryptococcus neoformans on Pal sunflower seed medium. The detailed microscopic examination of fungal isolates in ‘Narayan’ stain confirmed the identity as A. flavus. The epidemiological investigation revealed A. flavus in the immediate environment of the dog. Mycotic rhinitis should be suspected by a chronic serosanguineous bilateral nasal discharge. As A. flavus is an environmental contaminant, demonstration of fungus in repeated clinical samples is highly imperative to confirm an unequivocal diagnosis of disease. The housing of the dog in a well ventilated, dry pen, and periodical fumigation of the kennel can reduce the exposure to airborne fungi in the immediate environment. It is emphasized that immonocompromised dogs should not be exposed to dusty environment. As far as could be ascertained, this seems to be the first report on rhinomycosis in a dog due to A. flavus in India.