Detection of antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus in serum of horses with mycosis of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch).

OBJECTIVE

To detect antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in serum samples from horses and to evaluate the relevance of this method as an alternative approach to the diagnosis of mycosis of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch mycosis [GPM]).

ANIMALS

Twelve clinically normal horses (controls) and 12 horses with GPM diagnosed by endoscopic observation of characteristic mycotic plaques.

PROCEDURE

Antibodies to A fumigatus antigens were detected in serum by use of an ELISA and immunoblot analysis with extracellular antigens.

RESULTS

Antibodies against A fumigatus antigens were found in healthy and diseased horses. Titer of total Aspergillus antibodies was not diagnostic for GPM. In contrast, immunoblot analysis results indicated that 2 antigens of 22 and 26 kd were constantly recognized by sera from diseased horses.

CONCLUSIONS

Reactivity to 22- and 26-kd A fumigatus antigens, as measured by immunoblot analysis, seemed to be diagnostic for GPM in horses.