Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toxoplasmosis in cats and dog after kidney transplant - what to know
By Bernsteen, L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1999·Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Acute toxoplasmosis following renal transplantation in three cats and a dog.
Plain-English summary
A dog and three cats that had kidney transplants developed serious health issues 3 to 6 weeks after their surgeries. Unfortunately, one cat died before receiving treatment, while the other two cats and the dog also passed away despite medical intervention. Tests revealed that they had a parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis, likely triggered by their weakened immune systems after the transplants. This situation highlights the importance of testing both donor and recipient pets for toxoplasmosis before kidney transplant surgery to prevent such fatal complications.
People also search for: dog kidney transplant complications · cat toxoplasmosis symptoms · kidney disease in cats after surgery · toxoplasmosis treatment in pets
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 on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10530326/