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Granulomatous meningitis caused by Coccidioides immitis in a dog
1Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, CA 95065, USA.
Abstract:
Granulomatous meningitis attributable to Coccidioides immitis was diagnosed on postmortem examination in a 4-year-old Border Collie. Clinical signs included CNS disease, aspiration pneumonia secondary to a megaesophagus, and otitis externa. Central nervous system signs included central vestibular and cranial nerve dysfunction. Cerebellar and medullary infiltrates seen on histologic examination affected cranial nerves VIII, IX, and X. Despite extensive diagnostics, diagnosis was not made antemortem. Analysis of CSF suggested suppurative meningitis, but bacteriologic culture results were negative. Coccidioides endospores were identified on reexamination of brain tissue. The clinical course of disease and rate of Coccidioides immitis infection is variable. Causative agents of granulomatous or inflammatory CNS disease may include fungal infection more often than is currently suspected.
Insights
A Border Collie diagnosed postmortem with fungal meningitis caused by Coccidioides immitis highlights the need to consider fungal infections in canine central nervous system disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Mycology
- Canine Pathology
Background:
- Granulomatous meningitis can present with diverse clinical signs, including central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction.
- Fungal infections are an under-recognized cause of inflammatory CNS disease in animals.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old Border Collie presented with CNS disease, megaesophagus, and otitis externa.
- Histopathology revealed cerebellar and medullary infiltrates affecting cranial nerves VIII, IX, and X.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis suggested suppurative meningitis, but bacterial cultures were negative.
Findings:
- Postmortem examination definitively diagnosed granulomatous meningitis caused by Coccidioides immitis.
- Coccidioides endospores were identified in brain tissue upon reexamination.
- Diagnosis was not achieved antemortem despite extensive diagnostics.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering fungal etiologies, such as Coccidioides immitis, in canine granulomatous or inflammatory CNS disease.
- The variable clinical presentation and infection rate of Coccidioides immitis necessitate a high index of suspicion.
- Improved antemortem diagnostic strategies for fungal CNS infections in dogs are warranted.