Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with severe pneumonia from reactivated toxoplasmosis infection
By Simone A. Fietz et al.·Published in Pathogens·2023·Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, DE-04103 Leipzig, Germany, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Fulminant Pneumonia Due to Reactivation of Latent Toxoplasmosis in a Cat—A Case Report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 21-month-old female domestic shorthair cat with a history of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia was brought in for severe breathing problems, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Despite initial treatment, her condition worsened, and she was found to have pneumonia caused by the reactivation of a latent Toxoplasma infection, a parasite that can become dangerous when the immune system is weakened. Unfortunately, after three days of being stable but still having difficulty breathing, the cat's health declined rapidly, leading to euthanasia. This case highlights the importance of considering Toxoplasma reactivation in cats undergoing immunosuppressive treatment when they show sudden respiratory issues.
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Abstract
<i>Toxoplasma (T.) gondii</i> is an obligate intracellular parasite with felids, including domestic cats, as definitive hosts. In immunocompetent individuals, <i>T. gondii</i> infection is usually asymptomatic. However, under immunosuppression, it may have severe pathological impacts, which often result from the reactivation of a chronic infection. In this case study, a 21-month-old female domestic shorthair cat—diagnosed with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia three months prior and treated with cyclosporine and prednisolone—presented with acute tachypnea, dyspnea, diarrhea, and anorexia. Thoracic radiography suggested severe pneumonia. Testing for <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp., <i>Anaplasma</i> spp., <i>Ehrlichia</i> spp., and lungworm infection was negative. Serology for <i>T. gondii</i> revealed seroconversion of IgG, but not of IgM, indicating previous exposure to <i>T. gondii</i>. The cat remained stable but tachypneic for three days, followed by an acute onset of dyspnea and clinical deterioration, after which euthanasia was elected. Numerous protozoa were present in a postmortem transtracheal bronchoalveolar lavage and fine-needle aspiration of the lung. Microsatellite typing classified the extracted DNA as <i>T. gondii</i> type II variant TgM-A. This case demonstrates that <i>T. gondii</i> reactivation, leading to fulminant pneumonia, can be a sequela of immunosuppressive treatment in cats and should, therefore, be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed cats with acute-onset respiratory signs. Rapid diagnosis may prevent fatal consequences.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010007