Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Subcutaneous pythiosis causing a lump near a cat's anus
By Luciana Maria Curtio Soares et al.·Published in Ciência Rural·2019·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Feline subcutaneous pythiosis
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old cat developed a noticeable lump near its anal area that had been growing since it was a kitten. Unfortunately, the cat died shortly after surgery to remove the mass. A detailed examination revealed that the lump was caused by a rare infection from a water mold called Pythium insidiosum, which led to severe skin and tissue damage. This case highlights the importance of considering this unusual infection when diagnosing skin problems in cats.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT: Pythiosis in felines is a rare disease associated with the oomycete Pythium insidiosum. The aim of this report was to describe the macroscopic, histopathological, and molecular characteristics of P. insidiosum infection in a 2-year-old cat, with a localized invasive subcutaneous mass. The feline had an increase of volume near the anal region since it was younger. The cat died just after surgery. The necropsy was performed, and samples were collected for histopathological examination. Microscopically, the skin lesion was characterized by necro-eosinophilic dermatitis, panniculitis, and myositis surrounding negatively stained hyphal structures. In the sections stained with GMS, dark brown hyphae were clearly seen inside the affected tissue. They were rarely septate and their walls were almost parallel. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal anti-P. insidiosum antibody showed a strongly immunostained hyphae into the lesions. The analysis based on PCR had a positive result for P. insidiosum. Pythiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous tissue disorders in felines.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20180448