Cerebral Candidal Abscess and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Infection in an Aborted Bovine Fetus

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Candida species are opportunistic fungi causing central nervous system infections in humans, particularly those with immunosuppression.
• Invasive candidiasis is rare in animals, with only two documented cases of brain infection.
• Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) can cause immunosuppression in cattle.

Observation:

• A case of a cerebral candidal abscess in an aborted late-term calf is presented.
• The calf was co-infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus.
• Candida etchellsii was identified as the causative agent of the cerebral abscess.

Findings:

• Candida etchellsii, a species not previously recognized as pathogenic, was identified.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Candida etchellsii as the cause of the cerebral abscess.
• This is the first report of Candida etchellsii causing a cerebral abscess in an animal.

Implications:

• This finding expands the spectrum of known pathogenic Candida species.
• It suggests that Candida etchellsii may be an emerging cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised animals.
• This case underscores the importance of considering fungal infections in veterinary neurology, even with unusual species.