Nasal trichosporonosis in 2 mixed-breed ewes

Abstract

Two adult mixed-breed ewes were presented with a 2-wk history of upper respiratory disease. Both animals were depressed, with bilateral serosanguineous nasal discharge and harsh bronchovesicular sounds accompanied by crackles and wheezes on auscultation. One animal was recumbent and was euthanized at presentation. The other animal with similar signs, as well as exophthalmos, was euthanized because of a mass in the nasal passages. On autopsy, severe pyogranulomatous and necrotizing ethmoidal rhinitis with focal pyogranulomatous pneumonia was diagnosed in both animals. An intralesional fungal organism was identified in the nares and lungs of both animals. The organism could not be isolated via fungal culture but was identified as Trichosporon sp. by a PCR assay. Trichosporon spp. are rarely associated with disease in veterinary medicine. This ubiquitous fungus might cause disease following trauma to the nasal passages or secondary to immunocompromise.