Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with brain infection from Candida fungus causing neck pain
By Royaux, Emilie et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Davies Veterinary Specialists part of Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinicopathological and diagnostic imaging findings in a dog with neurocandidiasis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old German Shepherd was brought to the vet after showing signs of confusion, neck pain, and difficulty walking for three days. An MRI scan showed multiple lesions in the brain, and tests revealed severe inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid. The dog was treated with high doses of corticosteroids, which initially helped but then the symptoms worsened after 12 days. Sadly, further tests confirmed a severe systemic fungal infection caused by Candida albicans, affecting the brain, kidneys, and heart, leading to the dog's passing.
People also search for: dog confusion neck pain treatment · German Shepherd ataxia causes · systemic fungal infection in dogs
Abstract
Neurocandidiasis is systemic candidiasis with central nervous system involvement. This case report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic test results, and histopathology of a dog with neurocandidiasis. A 3-year-old German shepherd dog was presented for a 3-day history of abnormal mentation, neck pain, and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain revealed multifocal, small, round, intra-axial lesions within the forebrain. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed severe neutrophilic inflammation. Extensive testing for infectious diseases was negative. The dog was administered immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. The dog's clinical signs improved transiently but got worse 12 days after starting the treatment. Repeat MRI scan revealed multiple, intra-axial, target-like nodular lesions scattered throughout the brain parenchyma. In the temporal muscles, nodules were seen. Cytology of the fine needle aspirates of the nodules in the temporal muscles revealed a neutrophilic inflammation with hyalohyphomycosis. Postmortem examination was compatible with a severe systemic fungal infection. Candida albicans was isolated from the brain, kidney, and heart.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38769641/