Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs, MRI results, and treatment of brain fungal infection in 45 dogs
By Kelley, Ashley J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Specialists in Companion Animal Neurology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical characteristics, magnetic resonance imaging features, treatment, and outcome for presumed intracranial coccidioidomycosis in 45 dogs (2009-2019).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old dog was brought in for generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which are convulsions that can affect the whole body. After conducting an MRI, the vet found signs of a fungal infection in the brain called coccidioidomycosis. The dog received medical treatment, and follow-up tests showed a decrease in infection markers. Most dogs treated for this condition had a good outcome, with 82% surviving for at least a year after diagnosis, and many were doing well even after two years.
People also search for: dog seizures treatment · coccidioidomycosis in dogs · dog brain infection prognosis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of intracranial Coccidioides infection in dogs is essential for prompt diagnosis to limit disease-associated morbidity and death. OBJECTIVES: To describe the MRI appearance of intracranial coccidioidomycosis in dogs, identify associated clinical and clinicopathologic findings, and report outcomes of medical treatment. ANIMALS: Forty-five client-owned dogs with presumed intracranial Coccidioides infection. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Medical records and images were reviewed. Clinical history, examination findings, serology, imaging characteristics, treatment, and outcome were recorded. Included cases had an abnormal brain MRI and positive Coccidioides serology by agar-gel-immunodiffusion (AGID). RESULTS: Median age was 7-years. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the most common presenting sign (25/45). Two lesion categories were identified: a granulomatous form with 1 or more distinct, intra-axial, contrast-enhancing foci (37/45), and a second variation with diffuse, bilateral, symmetrical lesions of the caudate nuclei and frontal lobes (8/45). Serum IgG titers ranged from 1 : 1 to ≥ 1 : 256; 2 dogs had positive IgM titers at 1 : 2. All dogs with follow-up serology (34/45) had a reduction in titer. Mean duration of follow-up was 22.4 ± 20.5 months (median 16 months). Six dogs were lost to follow-up <1-year after diagnosis (median 9 months). Five dogs were clinically well but had yet to be followed for >1-year. Of the remaining 34 dogs, 28 (82%) were alive ≥ 1-year after diagnosis. Thirteen of these dogs had follow-up times ≥ 2-years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The prognosis for intracranial Coccidioides infection is generally more favorable with medical treatment than in earlier reports.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34410019/