MissionVet Specialty & Emergency

Introduction

In dogs, Aspergillus infections typically manifest as sinonasal disease; however, systemic involvement may lead to various clinical presentations, including meningoencephalitis. This case highlights the atypical presentation of intracranial Aspergillus granuloma in a German Shepherd dog.

Case Presentation

Signalment:

• 5-year-old male intact German Shepherd dog

History:

• Presented with a one-week history of seizures, leading to non-visual status in the right eye

• Seizure activity continued despite Keppra ER 27mg/kg q12h

Physical Examination:

• No significant findings other than neurologic examination.

Neurological Examination:

• Neurologic examination revealed obtundation, non-ambulatory tetraparesis, left head turn, and absent menace and nasal sensation on the right side

  • Mentation: Obtunded

  • Gait/Posture: Non-ambulatory tetraparetic; left head turn

  • Postural reactions: Delayed in left pelvic and thoracic limb, absent in right pelvic and thoracic limb

  • Spinal reflexes: Normal

  • Cranial nerves: Absent menace OD, absent right nasal sensation

  • Paraspinal palpation: No pain elicited

  • Neuroanatomic Localization: Left prosencephalon (forebrain) with post-ictal effects

Differential Diagnosis:

• Infectious meningoencephalitis

• Neoplasia

• Immune-mediated meningoencephalitis

Diagnostics:

• Baseline blood work was within normal limits

• Brain MRI revealed a chronic hemorrhagic mass lesion with strong peripheral contrast enhancement in the left caudal cerebrum, along with significant inflammation and edema.

• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mild mononuclear pleocytosis and elevated protein[KT1]

  • Protein: 21.2 mg/dL (RR 0-35 mg/dL)

  • Nucleated cell count: 11 cells/uL (RR 0-4 cells/uL)

  • Cytology: mild mononuclear pleocytosis

  • Positive Aspergillus result in infectious disease testing

Treatment:

• Voriconazole 4mg/kg PO q12h

• Prednisone 0.8mg/kg/day

• Phenobarbital 2.6mg/kg PO q12h

• Keppra ER 27mg/kg PO q12h

Assessment:

• Diagnosis of Intracranial Aspergillus Granuloma

• Prognosis may differ from that previously reported in literature; the prognosis for systemic Aspergillus is typically reported as poor to grave, especially if they show advanced central nervous system signs. However, this case, and others seen with the MissionVet Neurology department, demonstrates a severely affected patient who has improved.

• Emphasizes the importance of accurate neurologic history and examination for structural abnormalities. While this patient falls into the age range for idiopathic epilepsy, his lateralized intracranial signs would prompt investigation for a structural abnormality.

Aspergillosis:

• Aspergillus infections in dogs most commonly result in sinonasal disease, but systemic aspergillosis may also cause meningoencephalitis, diskospondylitis, osteomyelitis, lymphadenitis, nephritis, and/or splenitis.

• Systemic infections are most reported in German Shepherds; thought to be due to a heritable abnormality of their humoral and cellular immune system.

Outcome:

• Steady improvement observed; walking independently within 2 days

  • Patient was tetraparetic with a mild to moderate general proprioceptive ataxia. These gait changes were assumed to be secondary to post-ictal changes, as well as the addition of phenobarbital. He would also circle consistently to the left.

  • Gait changes attributed to post-ictal effects and phenobarbital

• Owner-reported recovery within a few weeks; patient began walking normally, and he would no longer circle. He also became less dull and was acting like his normal self.

• Normal neurologic examination, except for an absent menace on the right at 3 months

• Monitoring response to voriconazole with repeat Aspergillus galactomannan antigen testing

Conclusion:

This case challenges the traditionally poor prognosis associated with systemic Aspergillus infections in dogs, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Further research is needed to better understand the variability in clinical outcomes and optimal management strategies for such cases.