Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cats with histoplasmosis causing bone and joint problems
By Fielder, Susan E et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2019·Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary 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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Feline histoplasmosis presenting with bone and joint involvement: clinical and diagnostic findings in 25 cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 cats with lameness and joint swelling were diagnosed with histoplasmosis, a fungal infection that can affect bones and joints. Most of these cats showed signs of inflammation in their joint fluid, and the infection was confirmed through various tests, including cytology and urine antigen tests. Treatment typically involved addressing the underlying infection and managing the inflammation. Many of the affected cats improved with appropriate care, highlighting the importance of thorough diagnostics when joint problems are present.
People also search for: cat lameness joint swelling · histoplasmosis in cats treatment · feline joint infection symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe clinical and diagnostic findings in cats with bone and joint disease associated with histoplasmosis. METHODS: Medical records from between 2011 and 2017 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria required: (1) diagnosis of histoplasmosis by cytology, histology, urine or serumantigen testing, or culture; and (2) lameness or joint effusion as a presenting complaint or physical examination finding. RESULTS: Twenty-five cases met the inclusion criteria. Four had incomplete records, but available data were included when applicable. Lameness was a presenting complaint in 17/21 cats and was the only complaint in 9/21 cats. Initial diagnosis was made by cytology in 22/25 cats and by culture, urine antigen and necropsy in one case each. Diagnostic cytology samples included synovial fluid (n = 13), lymph node (n = 5), skin (n = 2), lung (n = 1) and bone (n = 1). Two additional cases had synovial fluid examined but no organisms present. Inflammation was present in all synovial fluid samples examined. Biopsy was obtained in two cats and histologic diagnoses included osteomyelitis with no infectious organisms identified and severe lymphoplasmacytic synovitis suggestive of feline periosteal proliferative polyarthritis. Histoplasma urine antigen test was positive in 7/12 cats. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Inflammatory arthritis is common in cats with histoplasmosis, with lameness a common presenting complaint. Organisms are found in synovial fluid cytology in most cases. If not, appropriate additional diagnostics must be pursued.
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/30407138/