Systemic Exophiala jeanselmei infection in a cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Systemic fungal infections are uncommon in cats.
• Phaeohyphomycosis is a group of fungal infections caused by dematiaceous fungi.
• Exophiala jeanselmei is a known cause of cutaneous and subcutaneous infections in humans.

Observation:

• A 14-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with abnormal kidney ultrasonography findings.
• Multifocal lesions were identified in the liver and kidneys, with fungal hyphae detected via fine-needle aspirate.
• The cat rapidly deteriorated, exhibiting recumbency and advanced neurological signs.

Findings:

• Necropsy revealed multifocal granuloma-like masses throughout multiple organs, including the liver, kidneys, abdominal and thoracic walls, pericardium, and central nervous system.
• Fungal culture identified Exophiala jeanselmei, a fungus not previously reported to cause systemic infection in cats.
• The lesions in the central nervous system included the spinal cord, cerebrum, and cerebellum.

Implications:

• This case represents the first reported instance of systemic infection by Exophiala jeanselmei in a feline patient.
• The findings suggest that phaeohyphomycosis may be an emerging disease in veterinary medicine, mirroring trends in human health.
• Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Exophiala jeanselmei infections in animals.