Case of Feline Sino-orbital Aspergillosis Due to Aspergillus felis

Abstract

A cat undergoing long-term treatment for chronic rhinitis presented with progressive protrusion of the nictitating membrane and eyeball. The lesions consisted of infiltrative inflammatory granuloma with partial necrosis in the nasal cavities and orbis. Pathological examination revealed fungal infection in the lesions. Treatment consisted of antifungal drugs and surgical resection for the necrotic and granulated tissues. However, the fungal infection progressed invasively and the animal died. The culture morphology of the causative agent, the results of a high-temperature growth test, and the nucleotide sequences of the beta-tubulin and calmodulin genes were consistent with Aspergillus felis, a recently classified species. The isolate also showed high minimum inhibitory concentration for multiple antimycotics, suggesting low susceptibility to antifungal chemotherapy.