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Clinical Sarcocystis neurona encephalomyelitis in a domestic cat following routine surgery
J P Dubey1, J Benson, M A Larson
1Parasite Biology, Epidemiology and Systematics Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, MD 20705-2350, USA. jdubey@anri.barc.usda.gov
Abstract:
Sarcocystis neurona is an important cause of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses in the Americas. An EPM-like neurological disease also has been reported from other mammals but it is difficult to induce this disease in the laboratory. A 4-month-old male domestic cat developed neurological signs 3 days following castration. The cat was euthanized 12 days later because of paralysis. Encephalomyelitis was the only lesion and was associated with numerous Sarcocystis schizonts and merozoites in the brain and spinal cord. The protozoa reacted positively with S. neurona-specific polyclonal rabbit antibody. Two unidentified sarcocysts were present in the cerebellum. It may be possible that stress of surgery triggered relapse of S. neurona infection in this cat.
Insights
Sarcocystis neurona caused fatal neurological disease in a domestic cat. Surgery stress may have triggered a relapse of this protozoal infection, leading to severe encephalomyelitis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Parasitology
- Pathology
Background:
- Sarcocystis neurona is a significant cause of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses.
- EPM-like neurological diseases have been observed in other mammals, but experimental induction is challenging.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old male domestic cat presented with neurological signs post-castration.
- The cat progressed to paralysis and was euthanized 12 days later.
- Post-mortem examination revealed encephalomyelitis as the sole pathological finding.
Findings:
- Numerous Sarcocystis schizonts and merozoites were identified in the cat's brain and spinal cord.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the protozoa reacted positively with S. neurona-specific antibodies.
- Two unidentified sarcocysts were also noted in the cerebellum.
Implications:
- This case suggests Sarcocystis neurona can cause severe neurological disease in domestic cats.
- Surgical stress might act as a trigger for S. neurona infection relapse in susceptible hosts.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of S. neurona in non-equine species.
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