A case of feline aspergillosis with central nervous system involvement: clinical utility of cerebrospinal fluid PCR testing.

A 5-year-old cat presented with exophthalmos and neurological signs. Aspergillus udagawae was identified by histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of an orbital mass. Although magnetic resonance imaging suggested intracranial infection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and fungal culture were not clear. Serial CSF PCR detected Aspergillus sp., leading to diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infection and monitoring of treatment response. Following surgical debulking and administration of antifungal agents including voriconazole, the clinical signs resolved and CSF PCR reverted to negative. This case suggests that CSF PCR is a sensitive adjunctive tool for diagnosing and monitoring CNS aspergillosis in cats when conventional methods are inconclusive.