Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat in Europe with widespread histoplasmosis infection symptoms
By Mavropoulou, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2010·Department of Animal Health, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Disseminated histoplasmosis in a cat in Europe.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat in Europe was brought to the vet after showing signs of vomiting, not eating, and losing weight. The vet found that the cat was in poor condition, had pale gums, was dehydrated, and had a mass in its abdomen. Tests, including an ultrasound, showed enlarged lymph nodes and thickened intestinal walls, and further examination revealed a fungal infection called histoplasmosis, which can be serious. Unfortunately, despite the findings, the cat did not survive, highlighting the severity of this infection.
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Abstract
A cat was presented with a history of vomiting, decreased appetite and weight loss. Abnormal findings were poor body condition, pale mucous membranes, dehydration and a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasound showed lymph node enlargement, a mass of uncertain origin, thickening of the muscularis layer of the small bowel, focal thickening of the ileum with loss of layering and free peritoneal fluid. Cytology revealed a piogranulomatous infiltrate and numerous macrophages containing oval or round yeast-like cells 2 to 5 microm diameter with a central, spherical, lightly basophilic body surrounded by a clear halo, compatible with Histoplasma capsulatum, within the cytoplasm. Post-mortem examination revealed cavity effusions, granulomatous nodules in lungs, intestine and omentum, thickened intestinal walls and intestinal perforation. Staining with Grocott and immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed numerous organisms within the granulomatous reaction. H. capsulatum has a worldwide distribution in temperate and subtropical climates. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of feline histoplasmosis in Europe.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20406359/