Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Does oral cyclosporine affect Toxoplasma infection in cats
By Lappin, Michael R et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2015·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Effect of oral administration of cyclosporine on Toxoplasma gondii infection status of cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that when 30 cats were given cyclosporine, a medication often used to reduce inflammation, they all became infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal issues. The cats showed signs of a mild infection, but those on the highest dose of cyclosporine had more severe complications, including one cat that sadly died from systemic toxoplasmosis. Interestingly, cats that were already infected before starting cyclosporine did not shed the parasite in their feces as much as those that weren't treated. This suggests that while cyclosporine didn't worsen the initial infection, high levels of the drug during the first infection could lead to serious health risks.
People also search for: cat Toxoplasma infection symptoms · cyclosporine side effects in cats · treatment for cat gastrointestinal infection
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether anti-inflammatory doses of cyclosporine activate Toxoplasma gondii in chronically infected cats or potentiate infection in cats exposed for the first time. ANIMALS: 30 T gondii-negative cats. PROCEDURES: Cats were assigned to 1 of 3 groups (10 cats/group). Group 1 (control) cats were administered a placebo for 126 days; group 2 cats were administered a placebo for 84 days, followed by cyclosporine at 7.5 mg/kg/d, PO, for 42 days; and group 3 cats were administered cyclosporine at 7.5 mg/kg/d, PO, for 126 days. Cats were orally inoculated with T gondii on day 42. Results for fecal flotations, PCR assays, and histologic examinations and IgM and IgG titers were analyzed. Cyclosporine concentrations were measured on selected days. RESULTS: All cats were infected by T gondii and developed signs of self-limiting gastrointestinal tract infection. Group 3 had the highest incidence and severity of CNS and pulmonary histopathologic findings typical of toxoplasmosis. One cat in group 3 died of systemic toxoplasmosis; that cat had a cyclosporine concentration of 1,690 ng/mL. Group 2 cats infected with T gondii before cyclosporine administration did not have repeated oocyst shedding. Group 3 cats shed fewer oocysts for a shorter time than did control cats of group 1. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral administration of cyclosporine in accordance with the protocol for this study did not potentiate the enteroepithelial phase of T gondii infection. Cats with high cyclosporine blood concentrations at the time of primary T gondii infection may be at risk of developing systemic toxoplasmosis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25815576/