Fungal Rhinosinusitis and Disseminated Invasive Aspergillosis in Cats

Abstract

Fungal rhinosinusitis, including sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) and sino-orbital aspergillosis (SOA), is the most common type of aspergillosis encountered in cats. Other focal forms of aspergillosis including disseminated invasive aspergillosis occur less frequently. SOA is an invasive mycosis that is increasingly recognized and is most commonly caused by Aspergillus felis, a close relative of Aspergillus fumigatus. SNA can be invasive or noninvasive and is most commonly caused by A fumigatus and Aspergillus niger. Molecular methods are required to correctly identify the fungi that cause SNA and SOA. SNA has a favorable prognosis with treatment, whereas the prognosis for SOA remains poor.

Keywords: Antifungals; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus felis; Fungal rhinosinusitis; Sino-orbital aspergillosis; Sinonasal aspergillosis.