Toxoplasma gondii brain granuloma in a cat: diagnosis using cytology from an intraoperative sample and sequential magnetic resonance imaging

A cat with a history of seizures and clinical suspicion of forebrain disorder underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging. A space-occupying lesion was identified in the left temporal lobe. The mass was surgically removed, and cytological, histological and immunohistochemical examinations documented the presence of Toxoplasma gondii. A definitive diagnosis of an intracranial T gondii granuloma was made. The cat was treated with clindamycin and phenobarbital and the seizures did not recur. After 10 months, a second magnetic resonance imaging showed severe brain atrophy, but T gondii granuloma recurrence was not noted. Twenty-one months after surgery, the cat's condition deteriorated, and another magnetic resonance imaging showed a presumptive recurrence of T gondii granuloma. In cats, T gondii granuloma must be considered as a differential diagnosis even when only a single intracranial mass is present. Cytology and magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in making a definitive diagnosis and to follow the evolution of the lesion.     

Attempted transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection from pregnant cats to their kittens

Sixteen 1- to 7-week-old pregnant specific-pathogen free cats were inoculated orally with Toxoplasma gondii cysts. Fetuses and neonatal kittens were examined for toxoplasma infection by inoculating suspensions of their tissues into mice. Toxoplasma gondii was not isolated from 23 fetuses and 16 newborn kittens from 13 queens. Six (3 litters) of the 15 kittens from the 3 remaining queens were killed on the day of or a day after birth, and the remaining 9 kittens were housed with their mothers for 7 to 33 days. None of the 9 kittens from the 2 litters examined between 0 and 33 days of age was infected with T gondii. In the other litter, T gondii was isolated from 3 kittens killed at 9, 16, and 22 days of age but not from 3 littermates killed on days 1, 1, and 22. Internal organs from the 3 kittens with proved toxoplasma infectivity in mice were examined histologically. Multifocal granulomatous encephalitis, hepatitis, nephritis, myocarditis, myositis, and interstitial pneumonia were found in all 3 kittens. Toxoplasma forms were demonstrated histologically in the tissues of 2 of these kittens. The mode of toxoplasma infection in newborn kittens was not determined but did not appear to be either transplacental or via fecal contamination from oocysts excreted by the mother cat. Evidence obtained in these experiments suggests that transplacental toxoplasma infection in the cat is not an important epidemiologic factor in perpetuation of the disease in the feline population.     

Feline ocular toxoplasmosis

Ocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii is a well-recognized and important clinical entity in many animal species. In the cat, ocular toxoplasmosis is commonly associated with systemic infection, yet its role in causing anterior uveitis in an otherwise healthy cat is unclear. The purpose of this article is to review the salient epidemiological, clinical, and histopathologic features of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis in the cat. Additionally, pathogenesis and possible immunopathogenic mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis, which may account for the higher prevalence of anterior uveitis in cats seropositive for T. gondii , are discussed. Finally, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of feline toxoplasmosis are reviewed.     

龙岩市部分地区牛、羊弓形虫病的血清学调查

目的：采集龙岩市部分地区牛、羊血清,检测福建省牛和羊弓形虫病的感染情况。方法：应用酶联免疫吸附试验检测牛和羊血清弓形虫IgG抗体。结果：49份牛血清弓形虫IgG抗体均呈阴性;35份羊血清中,8份弓形虫IgG抗体呈阳性,阳性率为22．86％（8／35）。结论：龙岩市部分地区羊弓形虫的感染率较高,应引起人们重视。     

Prevalence of chlamydia, toxoplasma, toxocara and ringworm in farm cats in south-west England

The prevalence of infection with Chlamydia psittaci, Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara cati and Microsporum canis was examined in 51 cats on 22 sheep farms in the Bristol area. Serum antibody to C psittaci and T gondii was present in 45 per cent and 47 per cent of cats, respectively. At the time of sampling C psittaci was isolated from 6 per cent of the cats, T cati was identified in 63 per cent of faecal samples but neither T gondii nor M canis was isolated. When examined according to the farm of origin, 22.7 per cent of farms had cat populations with no evidence of infection with C psittaci or T gondii. Of the remainder, 45.5 per cent supported cat populations with evidence of both infections and 31.8 per cent had evidence of T gondii infection alone. None of the farms had cat populations with evidence of C psittaci infection alone. Two of the cats infected with C psittaci were excreting viable organisms in the faeces. The possible significance of this to the epidemiology of ovine enzootic abortion is discussed.     

Toxoplasma gondii-like organisms in skin aspirates from a cat with disseminated protozoal infection

An 8-year-old, male domestic shorthair cat was referred to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with a 3-day history of lethargy, inappetance, hyperemic skin nodules, coughing, and vomiting. Laboratory results included nonregenerative anemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, and increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Cytology of the skin nodules revealed many spindle- to crescent-shaped protozoal organisms, with morphology consistent with Toxoplasma gondii or Neospora caninum. Gross necropsy, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and transmission electron microscopic findings confirmed a systemic protozoal infection; however, the organism exhibited characteristics of both N caninum and T gondii. Diagnosis of a T gondii-like infection was based on internal structures of the organism and positive reaction to rabbit polyclonal antibodies to T gondii. Reports of toxoplasmic dermatitis are rare in the cat and dog, and this is the first reported diagnosis of T gondii-like protozoa in skin aspirates.     

Diagnosis of naturally occurring toxoplasmosis by bronchoalveolar lavage in a cat

A 5-year-old cat presented with a history of fever and respiratory distress of 7 days' duration. The cat did not respond to initial symptomatic treatment. Through use of a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) technique, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was obtained rapidly without evidence of adverse effects to the cat. Antemortem diagnosis of naturally occurring active Toxoplasma gondii infection can be difficult in cats. Identification of organisms obtained by BAL may be beneficial in the diagnosis of feline toxoplasmosis.     

Pyogranulomatous cystitis associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in a cat after renal transplantation

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for azotemia and a suspected mass in the urinary bladder 6 weeks after receiving a renal transplant. Ultrasonography revealed a mass at the ureteroneocystostomy site, and the mass was excised. Both the donor and recipient cats were seronegative for Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG antibodies prior to transplantation. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Histologic evaluation of the mass revealed lesions indicative of extensive necrotizing pyogranulomatous cystitis with numerous intralesional T gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoite cysts. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment with clindamycin was initiated; however, the cat's clinical condition continued to decline, and it was euthanized 9 days after the mass was excised. Necropsy revealed T gondii cysts within the renal allograft and the transplanted ureter, with no evidence of systemic spread of organisms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Toxoplasmosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for azotemia in feline renal transplant recipients regardless of the results of assays for T gondii antibodies in the serum of donors or recipients. This report illustrated the need for improved screening of donor and recipient cats and the importance of minimizing exposure to potential sources of T gondii after transplantation.     

Soil contamination of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in pig farms in central China

Toxoplasmosis in pigs is a large threat to pig industry as well as pork consumers. Most pigs become infected by ingestion of oocysts from contaminated environment (soil, water and feed) or infected animal tissues postnatally. In the present study, field studies were conducted to evaluate the relationship between soil contamination status of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts and T. gondii infection in pigs in 12 pig farms with different density of cats in central China. The presence of T. gondii oocysts in soil were determined by PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). T. gondii DNA was found in 11 farms with different cat density excepting one farm exposed to low cat density. Twenty (21.1%) and 36 (37.9%) of 95 soil samples were T. gondii positive by PCR and LAMP, respectively (0.01相似文献   

Toxoplasmosis in a calf.

Gross post mortem and histopathological changes are described in a calf with toxoplasmosis. The major pathological changes were restricted to the lungs and kidneys and comprised interstitial pneumonia with multifocal necrosis, and glomerular necrosis. Many pseudocysts were present in both organs. The calf had been in close contact with young cats, one of which was killed and examined and shown to have a high antibody titre to Toxoplasma gondii, although there was little histological evidence of infection. No antibodies to toxoplasma were detected in serum from the dam of the calf, and accordingly, it is suggested that the cat was the source of infection for the calf.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic cats in The Netherlands

Cats, as definitive hosts, play an important role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection in Dutch domestic cats, serum samples of 450 cats were tested for T. gondii antibodies by indirect ELISA. Binary mixture analysis was used to estimate the seroprevalence, the optimal cut-off value and the probability of being positive for each cat. The seroprevalence was estimated at 18.2% (95% CI: 16.6-20.0%) and showed a decrease with age in very young cats, an increase up to about 4 years old and ranged between 20 and 30% thereafter. Hunting (OR 4.1), presence of a dog in the household (OR 2.1), former stray cat (OR 3.3) and feeding of raw meat (OR 2.7) were identified as risk factors by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Prevalence differences were estimated by linear regression on the probabilities of being positive and used to calculate the population attributable fractions for each risk factor. Hunting contributed most to the T. gondii seroprevalence in the sampled population (35%).     

A case of fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in a cat being treated with cyclosporin A for feline atopy

Acute systemic toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a 4-5-year-old, male, Domestic Short Hair cat, which had been on cyclosporine A immunomodulatory therapy for feline atopy, over an 8-month period. Cyclosporin A (CsA) has shown promising results as a immunosuppressive agent in the cat for the treatment of eosinophilic plaque and granulomas, allergic cervico-facial pruritus, feline atopy and other immune-mediated dermatoses. However, inhibition of T-lymphocyte function by CsA is believed to have predisposed this cat to the development of a newly acquired, acute Toxoplasma gondii infection, as characterized by severe hepatic and pancreatic pathology in conjunction with the heavy parasite load demonstrated on immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for T. gondii. Cats on CsA therapy appear to be at risk of developing fatal systemic toxoplasmosis.     

Paraparesis caused by epidural granuloma in a cat

Caudal paraparesis in a cat was determined to be caused by an epidural mass. Surgical decompression was performed, and the mass was determined to be a granuloma. Fusobacterium and Bacteroides spp were isolated from the granuloma. Epidural granulomas are seldom reported in dogs and cats. Decompression and administration of antibiotics led to recovery of this cat even though in human beings an unfavorable prognosis is given if neurologic deficits have developed.     

Cutaneous toxoplasmosis in a female Japanese cat

A 16-year-old female Japanese cat was presented with a single mammary-gland nodule approximately 3 cm in diameter. Histologically, the nodule consisted of necrotizing granulomatous panniculitis, vasculitis, and mastitis, and contained free and clustered protozoal organisms. The organism was present in the cytoplasm of macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and mammary-gland epithelia. The organism was positive for anti- Toxoplasma gondii and anti- Neospora caninum antibodies. Electron microscopy showed single and grouped tachyzoites, with morphologic features similar to those of T. gondii. Polymerase chain reaction and deoxyribonucleic acid sequence analysis was consistent with T. gondii infection. This is the first report of cutaneous toxoplasmosis in a Japanese cat.     

Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free range chickens from Paraná, Brazil

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free range chickens is a good indicator of the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment because chickens feed from the ground. In the present study, prevalence of T. gondii in 40 free range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from a rural area surrounding Paraná, Brazil was assessed. Blood, heart, and brain from each chicken were examined for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT> or =1:5) were found in 16 chickens. Hearts and brains of seropositive (MAT> or =1:5) chickens were bioassayed in mice. Additionally, hearts and brains of seronegative (MAT<1:5) chickens were bioassayed in two T. gondii-free cats (12 chickens per cat). T. gondii was isolated from 13 of 16 (81%) seropositive chickens. Of the two cats fed tissues pooled form seronegative chickens, one shed T. gondii oocysts. Nine of the 13 T. gondii isolates killed 100% of infected mice. The T. gondii isolate from the cat was also virulent for mice. Genotyping of 13 chicken isolates of T. gondii using the SAG2 locus indicated that seven isolates were type I and six were type III; three of these type III isolates killed all infected mice suggesting that all strains virulent for mice are not type I. The isolate from the feces of the cat fed chicken tissues was type I.     

宠物犬弓形虫病诊疗措施

弓形虫病属于一种分布范围非常广泛的人畜共患原虫病,幼犬、猫的发病率比较高。弓形虫宿主非常广泛,目前国内对弓形虫病的研究以家禽为主要研究对象,针对宠物犬弓形虫病诊疗及流行病学进行探讨对人类健康也有积极意义。     

Antemortem diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in two cats on cyclosporin therapy

Clinical toxoplasmosis was diagnosed antemortem in two cats being treated with therapeutic doses of cyclosporin. The diagnosis was made by detecting tachyzoites on cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from one case and pleural effusion from the other. Despite early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in both cases, only one cat survived. Reactivation of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection secondary to cyclosporin-induced immunosuppression was considered likely in both cases. The presence of respiratory signs in cats treated with cyclosporin should alert clinicians to the possibility of clinical toxoplasmosis. Consideration should be given to determining the serostatus of cats to T gondii prior to use of drugs which are potent inhibitors of cell mediated immunity, such as cyclosporin. Two cases of feline toxoplasmosis are presented.     

Epizootiologic investigations on a sheep farm with Toxoplasma gondii-induced abortions

During the lambing season of 1983/1984, 8 of 44 purebred Hampshire ewes on a farm in Knoxville, Md had reproductive problems. In at least 4 of these ewes, the problem was attributed to toxoplasmosis. Necrosis and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were found in placental specimens from 3 ewes. Agglutinating antibody to T gondii, at a titer of 1:80, was found in pleural fluids of both fetuses aborted from 1 ewe; this ewe had an antibody titer of 1:6,400 at the time of abortion. In another ewe, the diagnosis was confirmed by the isolation of T gondii from the placenta and 1 of her lambs. Of numerous free-roaming adult cats on the farm, 16 were trapped, euthanatized, and examined for T gondii. Agglutination antibody to T gondii, at titers of 1:4 to 1:64, was found in serum samples from all the cats. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the brain and skeletal muscles of 9 of the cats, and from the feces of 1 cat. Blood samples obtained from all 78 sheep on the farm 6 months after the episode of abortion were examined for antibody to T gondii. Agglutinating antibody titers to T gondii were less than 1:16 in 46 sheep, 1:16 in 16, 1:64 in 12, 1:256 in 2, 1:024 in 1, and 1:4,096 in 1. Analyses of serologic data in sheep of various age groups suggested that the Toxoplasma infection was acquired sporadically, probably from feed contaminated with oocysts.