Presumptive Nocardia spp. infection in a dog treated with cyclosporin and ketoconazole |
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| Authors: | AEH Paul CS Mansfield M Thompson |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences , Murdoch University , Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia E-mail: a.paul@murdoch.edu.au;2. Veterinary Teaching Hospital , The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Abstract CASE HISTORY: A dog that had received 8 months of cyclosporin and ketoconazole therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis subsequently developed severe neurological disease, that failed to respond to treatment with trimethoprim-sulphadiazine and clindamycin. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Histopathological examination of the pulmonary parenchyma and spinal cord revealed loose aggregates of Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, fine, beaded, filamentous bacteria, most consistent with Nocardia spp. DIAGNOSIS: A presumptive diagnosis was made of disseminated nocardiosis of the spinal cord and lungs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nocardia spp. is an opportunistic actinomycete that may cause disseminated disease, particularly in immunocompromised animals. Cyclosporin is used in veterinary medicine to control immune-mediated and allergic disorders, with few reported adverse side effects. This case gives further evidence that involvement of the spinal cord in nocardiosis of the central nervous system (CNS) carries a poor prognosis, and opportunistic infection by Nocardia spp. may be a potential complication of immunosuppressive cyclosporin therapy in the dog. |
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| Keywords: | Nocardia spp cyclosporin spinal cord dog |
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