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Cerebral Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in a cat
Jo R Smith1, Alfred M Legendre, William B Thomas
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|October 17, 2007
Summary
A cat with neurological signs was diagnosed with Blastomyces dermatitidis meningoencephalitis, a rare central nervous system fungal infection. Treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole led to a full recovery without systemic disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Blastomyces dermatitidis is a fungus endemic to certain regions, typically causing disseminated disease.
- Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is uncommon but can lead to severe neurological deficits.
Observation:
- An 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with depression, circling, and visual deficits.
- Brain imaging revealed a mass lesion in the right parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.
- Histopathology confirmed Blastomyces dermatitidis-associated meningoencephalitis with pyogranulomatous inflammation.
Findings:
- The cat received initial treatment with amphotericin B, which was complicated by azotemia.
- Subsequent treatment with fluconazole for 5.5 months resulted in a complete clinical recovery.
- The cat showed no signs of relapse six months after treatment cessation.
Implications:
- This case highlights that Blastomycosis of the CNS can occur in cats without evidence of systemic dissemination.
- Central nervous system blastomycosis should be considered in feline patients presenting with brain lesions in endemic areas.
- Successful treatment outcomes are possible with appropriate antifungal therapy.
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