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. 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):167-73.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.13795. Epub 2015 Nov 14.

Treatment of Disseminated Aspergillosis with Posaconazole in 10 Dogs

V K Corrigan  1 , A M Legendre  2 , L J Wheat  3 , R Mullis  2 , B Johnson  2 , D A Bemis  4 , L Cepero  2
Affiliations

Treatment of Disseminated Aspergillosis with Posaconazole in 10 Dogs

V K Corrigan et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2016 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background: Few effective treatments for disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs are available. Posaconazole has potent and broad-spectrum activity against Aspergillus spp., but its use has not yet been sufficiently evaluated in dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of posaconazole for the treatment of naturally occurring disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs.

Animals: Ten client-owned dogs with disseminated aspergillosis.

Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized, noncontrolled study with posaconazole administered to dogs at dosage of 5 mg/kg p.o. q12h. The primary veterinarian or the veterinary specialist caring for the dogs provided patient data.

Results: The treatment response for dogs with disseminated disease while receiving posaconazole was defined as clinical remission (n = 4) and clinical improvement (n = 6). There was a high rate of relapse during treatment or after cessation of treatment in both groups, and most dogs died or were euthanized due to progressive disease. Excluding 1 dog concurrently treated with terbinafine that remains alive 5 years after diagnosis, the mean survival time for dogs was 241 days (range 44-516 days). Three other dogs lived >1 year after starting treatment. No clinically relevant adverse events or increases in serum liver enzyme activity occurred during treatment with posaconazole.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Posaconazole appears to be safe and well-tolerated for treatment of disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs. Long-term survival >1 year is possible with prolonged treatment, but relapse is common.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Diskospondylitis; Fungal; Pyelonephritis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Serial serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen assay (GMA) index results for 2 dogs while receiving posaconazole treatment; data set 1 (diamonds) and data set 2 (squares). GMA index results ≥1.5 were considered positive. Missing data points not included.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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