Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fatal brain and kidney infections from Encephalitozoon cuniculi
By Snowden, Karen F et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2009·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in dogs: a case series.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of puppies with symptoms like depression, loss of appetite, and worsening neurological issues were found to have a serious infection caused by a parasite called Encephalitozoon cuniculi. This parasite can lead to brain and kidney problems, and it was confirmed in several cases through lab tests. Unfortunately, the puppies did not survive, highlighting that this infection might be more common than previously thought in dogs. Pet owners should be aware of these symptoms and discuss any concerns with their veterinarian.
People also search for: puppy depression and loss of appetite · dog neurological symptoms · Encephalitozoon cuniculi treatment
Abstract
Encephalitozoon (E.) cuniculi has been occasionally identified as a cause of neurological or renal disease in dogs, but cases are not well documented in the United States. The medical records from a state veterinary diagnostic laboratory for 19 cases of fatal encephalitozoonosis in puppies were reviewed. Clinical histories included depression, inappetence, and progressive neurological signs of short duration. Histopathological evaluation showed brain and renal lesions typical of encephalitis and nephritis, respectively. Molecular analyses of parasites from 13 cases confirmed the identity of the organisms as E. cuniculi strain III. This parasite may be an underdiagnosed cause of fatal canine neurological or renal disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19723845/