A Case of Equine Aspergillosis: A Novel Sampling Procedure for Diagnosis

Aspergillus spp. may induce equine respiratory infections such as fungal pneumonia, guttural pouch mycosis, and systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals. This study describes a case of probable respiratory aspergillosis in a horse presenting clinical signs of the upper airway disease different from those previously reported. Nasopharyngeal swabs and guttural pouch centesis were performed, and Aspergillus flavus was isolated and identified. Following 30 days of pharmaceutical treatment with itraconazole, clinical signs resolved. Results suggested that aspergillosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of upper airway infections, guttural pouch centesis may be useful to make a correct diagnosis, and itraconazole is efficacious in the treatment of A flavus infection.