Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acute toxoplasmosis following renal transplantation in three cats and a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1999
- Authors:
- Bernsteen, L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
In this study, three cats and one dog who had received kidney transplants due to severe kidney disease developed serious complications 3 to 6 weeks after their surgeries. One cat unfortunately died before any treatment could be given, and tests showed the presence of Toxoplasma, a type of parasite, in its kidney and other organs. The other two cats and the dog also died despite receiving treatment, with the parasite found in their organs but not in the transplanted kidneys, indicating that the infection likely reactivated due to their weakened immune systems after the transplant. This highlights that toxoplasmosis can be a dangerous complication for pets who have had kidney transplants. The researchers recommend testing both donor and recipient pets for toxoplasmosis before surgery and suggest that positive donors should not be used for negative recipients, while positive recipients should be closely monitored after their surgery.
Abstract
Three cats and 1 dog that had undergone renal transplantation because of end-stage renal disease were examined because of complications 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. One cat died prior to treatment of the complications; Toxoplasma cysts were found in sections of the renal allograft, and Toxoplasma tachyzoites were found in other organs. The other 2 cats and the dog died despite treatment, and protozoal cysts, as well as tachyzoites, were identified in other organs but not within the allografts, suggesting that reactivation of latent infection following immunosuppression was the most likely cause of disseminated toxoplasmosis. These cases illustrate that toxoplasmosis can be a fatal complication in renal transplant recipients. We currently recommend that feline and canine donors and recipients undergo serologic testing for toxoplasmosis prior to surgery. In addition, we suggest that seropositive donors not be used for seronegative recipients and that seropositive recipients and that seropositive recipients be monitored closely after surgery for clinical signs of toxoplasmosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10530326/