The Value of the Determination of Anti‐AspergillusIgG in the Serodiagnosis of Canine Aspergillosis: Comparison with Galactomannan Detection

Abstract

Diagnosis of canine aspergillosis is difficult using currently available methods. It often passes unnoticed or is diagnosed in the later phases of the disease. We developed an ELISA technique to detect anti-Aspergillus antibodies in canine serum using an Aspergillus antigenic mycelial extract, which could then be used for the diagnosis of canine aspergillosis. We used a cut-off of X + 3SD obtained from 20 control sera. The test was performed on 46 dogs with lesions indicating possible aspergillosis and gave nine positive results: one systemic mycosis, two discospondylitis, one uveitis, two bronchopulmonary processes and three rhinitis. We compared this methodology with the PLATELIA technique in the follow-up of the affected dogs, obtaining the same limitations as in the diagnosis of human aspergillosis. We consider our ELISA technique using sera samples a speedy, safe and reliable method which enables us to follow up the evolution of the disease and the efficacy of the therapy chosen. A definitive diagnosis must still take into account the results of other tests such as clinical examination, radiographic studies, endoscopy and biopsy.

Strong Correlation between Serum Aspergillus Galactomannan Index and Outcome of Aspergillosis in Patients with Hematological Cancer: Clinical and Research Implications

“…This excellent correlation was similar across age groups (adults and pediatric patients) and therapeutic modalities (including allogeneic BMT and HSCT) and regardless of the frequency of GMI testing and optical density cutoff value for positivity or whether GMI was considered to be a sufficien microbiological criterion for the diagnosis of aspergillosis. The excellent correlation between serum GMI and autopsy finding is reassuring, given the current low rate of performance of autopsy examinations, and is further supported by numerous experimental studies [41][42][43][44][45][46] and by our own clinical experience [38,47].…”

Canine sino-nasal aspergillosis: parallels with human disease

“…Adjunct serological tests are generally widely available. These are most often simple gel precipitation or counter-immunoelectrophoresis tests for detection of serum antibody to Aspergillus [18], although enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays have been described [19]. False negative results are reported and the sensitivity and specificity of routine serology has been determined to be 67% and 98% respectively [17].…”

Evaluation of Serum Aspergillus‐Specific Immunoglobulin A by Indirect ELISA for Diagnosis of Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Aspergillosis

“…In dogs, SNA is a noninvasive mycosis caused by A. fumigatu s, characterized by lymphoplasmacytic inflammation of the sino‐nasal mucosa . An active humoral immune response has been demonstrated by identification of Aspergillus‐ specific IgG in serum . An effective cell‐mediated response mediated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll‐like receptors (TLR) 2, 4, and 9 pivotal in T‐helper cell development, is essential for protective immunity against fungal infection .…”