Sarcocystis sp. encephalomyelitis in a cat |
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Authors: | Tricia M Bisby Patricia J Holman George A Pitoc Rebecca A Packer Craig A Thompson Rose E Raskin |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA;2. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;3. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract: A 5‐month‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for spinal pain, ataxia, and anisocoria. Neuroanatomic localization indicated diffuse or multifocal central nervous system disease. On cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neutrophilic pleocytosis and intracellular protozoal merozoites were observed. The merozoites were oval, 2–4 μm in width and 4–6 μm in length, and had linear arrays of nuclear material concentrated at one pole. Serum was positive for Sarcocystis sp. antibodies and negative for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. The organism was determined to be either Sarcocystis neurona or Sarcocystis dasypi based on sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 ribosomal RNA genomic region. Clinical disease resolved following treatment with 3 different protocols for protozoal infection. This case is the first to demonstrate the antemortem diagnosis and survival of a domestic cat with Sarcocystis sp.‐associated encephalomyelitis. Clinicians and cytopathologists should include Sarcocystis sp. as a differential for feline inflammatory central nervous system disease characterized by neutrophilic pleocytosis. |
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Keywords: | Cat cerebrospinal fluid molecular diagnosis Sarcocystis dasypi Sarcocystis neurona |
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