Serum level of Galactomannan for Aspergillus was strongly positive (1.8 ng/ml). Invasive pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS was suspected and itraconazole was replaced by voriconazole. Three days later, bronchoalveolar lavage sample revealed heavy growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. Brain CTscan showed no abnormality. Twelve days after antifungal therapy, the size of nodular lesions decreased significantly.

Birds are routinely exposed to this fungus and only rarely become pathogenic and the lower respiratory tract is most severely affected by inhalation rout. There have been some recent reports about respiratory ASPERGILLOSIS in ostrich (Kyoung 2001, Marks et al 1994). Aspergillus spp usually cause disease under condition of stress, immunosupression, and prolonged treatment with antibiotics or massive exposure to the microorganism. Clinical signs of ASPERGILLOSIS in ostriches are weight loss, lethargy and dyspnea (Kyoung 2001). Other less common forms of ASPERGILLOSIS in birds are encephalitis, ophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, dermatitis and systemic form (Fitzgerald & Moisan (1995). A fumigatus was isolated in some cases of respiratory ASPERGILLOSIS (Campbell (1986). It has been reported that ASPERGILLOSIS was observed in ostriches in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but is relatively uncommon today (Terzich &. Vanhooser (1993). This is the first case report of ASPERGILLOSIS due to A ftnigatus in Iran. The ostriches of this report had received chloramphenicol and enrofloxacin for a long time (45 days) so these drugs may have been the cause of the pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS.

Introduction: Invasive fungal sinusitis is a potentially lethal infection inimmunocompromisedpatients, with a reported incidence of around 2%. Neutropenia due to aplastic anemia or secondary to chemotherapy is the main cause of acute invasive fungal sinusitis.Case Presentation: We present the case of a 6-month-old boy with hem ophagocytic syndrome. During the follow-up for fever and pancytopenia at the medical faculty hospital of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, the patient developed discoloration and black crusting of the nasal columella. Antifungal medical treatment and biopsy were recommended owing to the suspicion of invasive fungal infection. The premaxilla, nasal columella, and nasal cartilages were necrotic. Medical and surgical treatments were performed to prevent the spread of infection. After controlling the underlying immunosuppression, nasal reconstruction was advised.Conclusions: Invasive fungal sinonasal disease is a rare clinical phenomenon in immunocompromised patients. Although it is associated with high mortality rates, it can be successfully managed with a combination of surgical and medical treatments.

Background: Patients with prolonged neutropenia and/or severe underlying immunosuppression are at the greatest risk for disseminated ASPERGILLOSIS. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of invasive ASPERGILLOSIS by Platelia Aspergillus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA kit in high risk children admitted to the hematology ward of Dr. Faghihi hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Materials and Methods: From Oct.2006 to Jun.2008, 62 patients with hematologic malignancies were followed and evaluated for invasive ASPERGILLOSIS in Shiraz. All clinical samples were cultured and a direct microscopic examination was performed. Blood samples were cultured by bedside inoculation to BACTEC medium. Blood samples were collected prospectively once a week and stored at –20 oC until examination. All the collected blood samples were assayed for galactomannan antigen using Platelia Aspergillus ELISA kit. Patients were classified according to the diagnostic criteria set by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Mycosis Study Group.Results: The female-to-male ratio was 22: 40, and mean age of the patients was 9.3 years. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of the ELISA method were 91%, 90%, 83.3%, and 94.7%, respectively. Galactomannan antigen test was positive in 1 proven, 8 probable, and 2 possible cases. The incidence rate of invasive ASPERGILLOSIS was found to be 16.7%.Conclusion: Considering the incidence of invasive ASPERGILLOSIS and the corresponding morbidity and mortality rates in patients with hematologic disorders, it seems that more efficient methods are in demand for early diagnosis and thereby promoting the patients’ survival.

Molds and mycotoxins are contaminants of animal feed causing spoilage and clinical intoxication. Animal exposure to mycotoxins reflects diet composition with major differences occurring between animals kept predominantly of pastures, i. e. ruminants and horses, and those consuming formulated feed like pigs and poultry. Mixed feeds are composed of several ingredients, often sourced from different continents. Subsequently, practitioners may confront endemic diseases and signs of toxin exposure related to toxins imported accidentally with contaminated feed materials from other countries and continents. Mycotoxins comprise more than 300 to 400 different chemicals causing a variety of clinical symptoms. Mycotoxin exposure causes major economic losses due to reduced performance, impaired feed conversion and fertility, and increased susceptibility to environmental stress and infectious diseases. In acute cases, clinical symptoms following mycotoxin ingestion are often non-specific, hindering an immediate diagnosis. Furthermore, most mold species produce more than one toxin, and feed commodities are regularly contaminated with various mold species resulting in complex mixtures of toxins in formulated feeds. The effects of these different toxins may be additive, depending on the level and time of exposure, and the intensity of the clinical symptoms based on age, health, and nutritional status of the exposed animal(s). Threshold levels of toxicity are difficult to define and discrepancies between analytical data and clinical symptoms are common in daily practice. This review aims to provide an overview of Aspergillus and Penicillium toxins that are frequently found in feed commodities and discusses their effects on animal health and productivity.

ASPERGILLOSIS is a rapidly progressive, often fatal infection that occurs in severely immunosuppressed patients, including those who are profoundly neutropenic, recipients of bone marrow or solid organ transplants and patients with leukemia, lymphoma, advanced AIDS or phagocytic disorders such as chronic granulomatous disease. Patients with severe liver disease are at a higher risk for infections. Immunocompetent individuals rarely develop this infection and do so only in the presence of pulmonary and systemic abnormalities such as fibrotic lung disease, suppurative infection or when they are on corticosteroids.We present 2 cases of pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS in diabetic patients. They presented with cough and dyspnea. Aspergillus was found in obtained respiratory samples. Pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS was confirmed in our first case by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and Galactomannan assay. In the second case, diagnosis of pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS was established by thoracic CT guided biopsy plus Galactomannan assay.These patients had none of the suggested risk factors for Aspergillus infection but they had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. This report highlights that pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS can occur in individuals with diabetes mellitus even in the absence of other risk factors such as corticosteroid use, severe granulocytopenia or other associated immunosuppressive factors. It is; therefore, valuable to recognize that in patients with diabetes mellitus pulmonary ASPERGILLOSIS should be considered as an important differential diagnosis for respiratory problems.