Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with widespread Mycobacterium avium infection and sudden death
By Rivière, Delphine et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2011·Scanelis, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Disseminated Mycobacterium avium subspecies infection in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 18-month-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet because he had been vomiting and not eating for a few days. The vet found swollen lymph nodes and tests confirmed an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium. The cat was treated with antibiotics, which initially helped him feel better. Unfortunately, he suddenly died two months later, and a post-mortem examination revealed severe complications from the infection, likely due to the bacteria becoming resistant to the treatment.
People also search for: cat vomiting and not eating · Mycobacterium avium infection in cats · cat swollen lymph nodes treatment
Abstract
An 18-month-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat, domiciled in the southwest of France, was first presented having suffered for a few days from dysorexia and vomiting. Abdominal palpation revealed lymph node enlargement. Cytological examinations of a fine needle aspirate demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with many non-staining elements consistent with mycobacteria. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture and polymerase chain reaction and Mycobacterium avium subspecies was isolated. Treatment was initiated with marbofloxacin, rifampicin and cefoxitin. There was a rapid clinical improvement. The cat suddenly died 2 months later. The main hypothesis is the administration of an inappropriate combination therapy that leads to the development of mycobacterial resistance. A volvulus and acute peritonitis secondary to the significant enlargement of a mesenteric lymph node were present at necropsy. Histopathological analysis of mesenteric lymph node, liver and spleen revealed multicentric granulomatous and severely necrotic lesions with numerous Ziehl-Neelsen positive intracytoplasmic elements.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21036643/