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Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in dogs: a case series
Karen F Snowden1, Barbara C Lewis, Jay Hoffman
1Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4467, USA.
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
|September 3, 2009
Summary
Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a parasite, can cause fatal neurological and renal disease in puppies. This study documents 19 cases in the United States, suggesting it may be underdiagnosed in canine populations.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Canine Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) is a known cause of neurological and renal disease in dogs, but documented cases in the United States are infrequent.
- Canine encephalitozoonosis is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in younger animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and document cases of fatal encephalitozoonosis in puppies diagnosed at a state veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the United States.
- To characterize the clinical, histopathological, and molecular features of E. cuniculi infection in a cohort of puppies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from 19 puppies with fatal encephalitozoonosis.
- Histopathological examination of brain and renal tissues to identify characteristic lesions.
- Molecular analysis of parasite DNA from affected tissues to confirm species and strain.
Main Results:
- The study identified 19 cases of fatal canine encephalitozoonosis.
- Clinical signs included depression, inappetence, and rapidly progressive neurological deficits.
- Histopathology revealed typical encephalitis and nephritis, with molecular analysis confirming E. cuniculi strain III in 13 cases.
Conclusions:
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a cause of fatal neurological and renal disease in puppies in the United States.
- Canine encephalitozoonosis may be an underdiagnosed condition, necessitating increased awareness among veterinarians.
- E. cuniculi strain III was identified as the causative agent in the reviewed cases.
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