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

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 <i>Aspergillus</i> species isolated was <i>A. terreus</i> (57.69%), although other species were also reported, including <i>A. deflectus</i>, <i>A. fumigatus</i>, <i>A. niger</i>, <i>A. caninus</i>, <i>A. versicolor</i>, <i>A. alabamensis</i>, <i>A. citrinoterreus</i>, and <i>A. floccosus</i>. 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.