Recurrent pyothorax in a cat caused by Candida albicans

A 7-month-old Siberian cat was presented for persistent fever and recurrent tachypnoea and dyspnoea. The cat was treated 2 weeks prior by the referring veterinarian for pyothorax. Repeated thoracic radiographs and CT showed severe pleuropneumonia. Although serology was positive for feline coronavirus antibodies, an RT-PCR for feline infectious peritonitis of the thoracic fluid was negative. The feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukaemia virus SNAP test was negative. Repeated aerobic and anaerobic culture and sensitivity results were unable to detect bacterial growth but did detect Candida albicans. Initial treatment with amphotericin B and long-term treatment with itraconazole resulted in complete and persistent clinical recovery.

Pyothorax by C albicans in a cat has been described once in 1984. To the authors' knowledge, this is only the second case description, confirmed by fungal culture.