#aspergillosis

[whattolearntoday]

February 1st is...

Baked Alaska Day -  An elaborate dessert that is also known as “Omelette Norvegienne,” Baked Alaska is made with hard ice cream on a base of sponge cake and covered in a shell of toasted meringue.

Chinese New Year - The Chinese New Year coincides with the lunar calendar. On the lunar calendar, the first day of the month begins during the new moon. Because of this, the Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year. However, it does always fall between January 21 and February 21. The traditional holiday period for the Spring Festival lasts 23 days. The public holiday is celebrated for 7 days. This means those in Mainland China who celebrate the Chinese New Year get 7 days off from work. Another feature of the Chinese New Year is each year is always associated with an animal. The animals always go in a certain order and repeat every 12 years. These animals include:Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox. 2022 will be the year of the tiger. 

Dark Chocolate Day -  Also known as bittersweet chocolate, dark chocolate is different from milk chocolate. Candy makers add milk or butter to milk chocolate, giving it a creamier consistency. Dark chocolate includes no added milk or butter. Instead, the percentage of cocoa solids remaining in the chocolate determines how dark the chocolate is. The higher the ratio, the darker the chocolate. It may also have a slightly bitter taste.

Freedom Day - Celebrates freedom from slavery. It also recognizes that America is a symbol of liberty. The day honors the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” ~ 13th Amendment

Get Up Day - Offers an opportunity to share inspiring stories of perseverance. The day reminds us to pick ourselves up when we’ve fallen and giving it (whatever it may be) another go!

Serpent Day - Gives snakes and serpents alike their slithering due. Across religions and cultures, the serpent has been used as a symbol of evil, medicine, fertility, and much more. Over 3,000 species of snakes populate the Earth. The world’s smallest snake is the Barbados thread snake. This serpent is smaller than a nightcrawler at about 4 inches. In comparison, the longest snake is the reticulated python and the heaviest is the green anaconda.

Texas Day - Recognizes the Lone Star State along with its fierce record of independent people and history. The 28th state may not be the only state with a record of being a republic, but their dramatic revolution and fight for independence keep Texas history alive.

World Aspergillosis - Aims to raise awareness about this under-diagnosed fungal infection. It’s also a day to educate the general public on the signs and symptoms of aspergillosis. A common mold called Aspergillus causes the infection Aspergillosis. While it does grow indoors, this mold is typically found outdoors on plants and in the soil. Most healthy people can breathe in Aspergillus spores without any negative repercussions. However, for those with weakened immune systems, breathing in this mold can have serious consequences. Aspergillus can also be detrimental for those with underlying lung disease and asthma. For some, Aspergillus triggers an allergic reaction. When a person gets sick from Aspergillus spores, the symptoms are similar to asthma and respiratory infections. For this reason, doctors have a hard time diagnosing Aspergillosis. 

World Hijab Day - Recognizes the millions of Muslim women who choose to wear a hijab. It’s also a day to encourage women of all backgrounds and religions to wear and experience the hijab. Most people throughout the world are aware that Muslim women wear many types of coverings. They wear these coverings to retain their modesty. They also wear them because they believe it helps them avoid harassment from men. The hijab is one such type of covering that most Muslim women choose to wear. Only in Iran and the Indonesian province of Aceh are Muslim women required to wear a hijab.

[celestiaquixs]

Critically urgent PF & Aspergillosis care. Terminally ill patient with complex pulmonary/genetic conditions faces systemic barriers. Any physician able to provide life-saving evaluation, please respond. #LifeSavingCare #PulmonaryFibrosis #Bronchiectasis #CFTRRD #TerminalIllness

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[dr-afsaeed]

Mucorales PCR Testing in Respiratory and Biopsy Samples From Immunocompromised Patients With Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Other Mold Infections: Results From a Multicenter ECMM Study - Research

Background: Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection that is challenging to diagnose as traditional methods lack sensitivity and serological testing is unavailable. This study aimed to evaluate the MucorGenius® PCR assay on respiratory and biopsy samples from high-risk patients with probable/proven invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), mucormycosis, or possible invasive mold infections…

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Meet ITCAN-200 (Itraconazole Capsules 200mg) – the effective solution for stubborn fungal infections.

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Essential for hospitals, clinics, and retail pharmacies. Ensure you have this potent antifungal in your inventory.

[jammernews]

Fatal Fungus Similar to “The Last of Us” Disease Could Spread Worldwide

Warmer temperatures caused by climate change are increasing the environment where fungus, which can cause lung infections in humans, thrives

[frimleyblogger]

Socks Of The Week

Here is a cautionary tale from China. An unnamed man from Chonqing, described as an office worker, tried to self-medicate his persistent coughing with over the counter medications without success. The cough was so persistent that it disturbed his sleep and he was eventually admitted to the Southwest Hospital of the Army Medical University. Doctors found signs of an infection of the right lung…

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[ultimate-healing-blog]

Essential Care Tips for African Gray Parrots

Read full story on-line: #CommonPetBirds #AfricanGrayParrot #ParrotCare #BirdHealth #PetBirds #FeatherCare #AvianHealth #BirdEnrichment #ParrotLovers #HealthyParrots #PetBirdCare #BirdsOfInstagram #AvianVeterinary #Birds #PetCareTips

Common Conditions of African Gray (Grey) Birds African Gray Parrots, known for their remarkable intelligence and vibrant personalities, require specialized care to thrive. Unfortunately, pet birds, including African Grays, can develop health issues when not provided with proper nutrition or care. Although many avian diseases can impact various species, some conditions are more prevalent in…

Essential Care Tips for African Gray Parrots

[ataleoftwopitties]

ASPERGILLOSIS IN DOGS

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by a type of mold called Aspergillus. There are over 200 known species of Aspergillus fungi found worldwide that can grow either indoors or outdoors, and are commonly found in soil, dead or decaying vegetation, or spoiled food. They produce tiny asexual spores that can be easily inhaled or ingested, although do not generally lead to disease in humans or animals, unless the host has a compromised immune system or has significant exposure to the fungus.

SINONASAL ASPERGILLOSIS

In dogs, especially dolicocephalic (long-snout) breeds such as the Greyhound, Collie, and Dachshund, aspergillosis is typically localized to the nasal cavity/sinuses. Symptoms of sinonasal aspergillosis include chronic sneezing and bloody nasal discharge, classically from one nostril, and sometimes depigmentation and/or ulceration of the nares.

Mucous will eventually build up into a "fungal ball", or aspillergoma, which can be detected under advanced imaging.

In severe cases, there will be marked damage of the nasal turbinates and the infection spreads from within the sinus cavity through the frontal bone of the skull, invading into the brain and central nervous system. For this reason, CT scan is highly recommended along with a rhinoscopy.

Historically, treating fungal infections with oral medications are very challenging, as the infections are often very slow to clear, and many anti-fungals available on the market are not only expensive, but may have severe side effects including liver damage and neurological symptoms. Because of this, the debridement of fungal lesions followed by topical infusion have become the gold standard treatment, as long as the cribriform plate of the skull is intact.

While under anesthesia, fungal plaque is removed with the guidance of a scope in the nasal cavity. In some cases, however, fungal plaque may be located in the sinuses but not in the nasal cavity - in which case trephination may be performed. An incision is made along the forehead to remove a layer of bone to create access.

Once the aspergilloma is debrided, a clotrimazole (anti-fungal) solution is infused into the nose and frontal sinuses while the the back of the patient's throat is closed off with gauze and foley catheters. (The patient is able to breathe through an endotracheal tube.) Cotton swabs are used to plug the nostrils, and the clovtrimazole solution incubates for 30 minutes to 1 hour, as the patient is periodically rotated to allow even distribution throughout the sinuses and maximize penetration.

The clotrimazole solution is then drained out the nostrils and suctioned out. While this treatment has been shown to be highly effective, about 1/3 of patients may need repeat infusions.

If there is evidence that the infection has already eroded through the sinus bones and penetrated the brain, then the treatment described above may not be used, and oral medication would be recommended instead. Several months of treatment would be required, with a reported 60-70% success rate, compared to 86% observed in fungicide infusions.

DISSEMINATED ASPERGILLOSIS

Systemic aspergillosis occurs in dogs when the fungal spores diffuse past the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream, spreading to other sites within the body, including bone, spine, muscles, kidneys, as well as the eyes. A bronchopulmonary form of aspergillosis also forms in dogs, although rare.

Although less commonly diagnosed, disseminated aspergillosis is most often observed in young-middle aged female German Shepherds and most commonly associated with the A. terreus species. Many patients may also have underlying immunocompromise, such as diabetes mellitus or concurrent bacterial infections, or are receiving immunosuppressive medications, such as glucocorticoids or chemotherapeutics.

Clinical signs of disseminated aspergillosis are dependent on which organ(s) are involved, although many dogs may also show nonspecific signs such as anorexia, lethargy, and fever. Other symptoms of systemic involvement include weight loss, muscle wasting, hematuria, urinary incontinence, uveitis, and neurological deficits such as head tilt and ataxia. There are also often draining tracts (holes with pus or bloody discharge oozing out) in areas of infection.

Diagnosing disseminated aspergillosis can actually be quite difficult and invasive. Unfortunately, many dogs are often terminal by the time aspergillosis is suspected, and have an extensive history of failed antimicrobial treatment before diagnosis.

Treatment is also particularly frustrating for these cases, either requiring years - or even lifelong - administration of anti-fungal drugs, and regular follow-ups to monitor for any side effects. While some anti-fungals like iconazole and fluconazole are more cost-effective than others, they are not as effective clinically. On the other hand, the ones that are more effective, like voriconazole, are also more expensive and more toxic over time.

Often times, surgery may also be required to remove the source of the fungal infection (i.e. limb amputation, osteotomy, lung lobectomy, enucleation, etc.). Although surgery may sometimes be curative, prognosis is generally very guarded to poor, as many dogs will often die of their disease before medication can begin to control their condition, or if the surgery required is out of reach.

However, treatment should still be considered in dogs with less severe clinical signs. While treatment of an opportunistic fungal infection is very challenging, early recognition and aggressive treatment can enhance the chance for success.

Sources/Further Reading:

Ballber, Clara, et al. “Minimally invasive treatment of sino‐nasal aspergillosis in dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, vol. 32, no. 6, 16 Oct. 2018, pp. 2069–2073, https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15311. 

Bennett, Peter F., et al. “Long term survival of a dog with disseminated Aspergillus deflectus infection without definitive treatment.” Medical Mycology Case Reports, vol. 22, Dec. 2018, pp. 1–3, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2018.07.002. 

Brooks, Wendy. “Aspergillosis in Dogs.” Veterinary Partner, VIN (Veterinary Information Network), 1 Nov. 2023, veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952634. 

Gull, Tamara. “Aspergillosis in Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, Merck & Co., Inc., Apr. 2023, www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/fungal-infections/aspergillosis-in-animals. 

Nelson, Whitney, and Audrey K. Cook. “When to Consider Aspergillosis in Dogs.” DVM 360, MJH Life Sciences, 1 Aug. 2010, www.dvm360.com/view/when-consider-aspergillosis-dogs. 

Pascutti, Kristina, and Stuart A. Walton. “Approaches to Opportunistic Fungal Infections in Small Animals.” Today’s Veterinary Practice, 7 Apr. 2021, https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/internal-medicine/approaches-to-opportunistic-fungal-infections-in-small-animals/. 

Renchler, J.S. “A Review of Systemic Aspergillosis in Dogs.” Clinical Reviews, Mira Vista Veterinary Diagnostics, Oct. 2020, miravistavets.com/fungal-diseases/aspergillus/review-systemic-aspergillosis-in-dogs/.