# Systemic Aspergillosis in Dogs: A Historical and Current State-of-the-Art Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews 155 cases of a rare and deadly fungal disease in dogs, highlighting the German Shepherd as the most affected breed and the importance of early diagnosis.

## Contribution

The paper compiles and analyzes all confirmed cases of canine systemic aspergillosis since 1978, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and clinical features.

## Key findings

- German Shepherds were the most commonly affected breed, accounting for 65.16% of cases.
- Aspergillus terreus was the most frequently isolated species, found in 57.69% of cases.
- Early recognition of clinical signs and accurate lab interpretation are critical for improving outcomes.

## Abstract

Canine systemic aspergillosis is a rare but life-threatening fungal disease with an often poor prognosis. This review covers 155 confirmed cases reported since 1978. The German Shepherd was the most involved breed and Aspergillus terreus was the most frequently isolated species. Early detection is difficult, making recognition of clinical signs and careful interpretation of laboratory findings essential. Key features that support timely and effective clinical decisions are highlighted.

Canine systemic aspergillosis is a rare but highly serious condition, often associated with a fatal outcome. This review encompasses all reported cases of canine systemic aspergillosis from 1978 to the present, focusing exclusively on studies in which the diagnosis was confirmed through fungal culture. A total of 155 clinical cases reported in the literature were included. Among these, the German Shepherd was the most frequently affected breed (65.16%), followed by mixed-breed dogs (7.74%). The predominant Aspergillus species isolated was A. terreus (57.69%), although other species were also reported, including A. deflectus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. caninus, A. versicolor, A. alabamensis, A. citrinoterreus, and A. floccosus. Recognizing clinical signs and accurately interpreting laboratory findings are crucial for early diagnosis and timely intervention, both of which can potentially improve outcomes. This review provides a detailed discussion of these aspects.