Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fungal liver infection in young beagle with inherited cobalamin
By Kook, P H et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2015·Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hepatic fungal infection in a young beagle with unrecognised hereditary cobalamin deficiency (Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-month-old beagle was brought to the vet for not eating, fever, and vomiting. The dog had been feeling unwell for several months and had received antibiotics and steroids without improvement. Tests showed anemia and liver lesions, and a needle biopsy revealed a fungal infection in the liver. Despite treatment with fluconazole, the dog's condition worsened, and the owners chose to euthanize before discovering a genetic issue that caused a vitamin B12 deficiency. Unfortunately, the underlying problem was missed during treatment, which complicated the dog's health.
People also search for: beagle vomiting and not eating · dog liver infection treatment · puppy anorexia causes
Abstract
A 12-month-old beagle presented for anorexia, pyrexia and vomiting. The dog had been treated intermittently with antibiotics and corticosteroids for inappetence and lethargy since five months of age. Previous laboratory abnormalities included macrocytosis and neutropenia. At presentation, the dog was lethargic, febrile and thin. Laboratory examination findings included anaemia, a left shift, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia. Multiple, small, hypoechoic, round hepatic lesions were observed on abdominal ultrasound. Cytological examination of hepatic fine needle aspirates revealed a fungal infection and associated pyogranulomatous inflammation. The dog's general condition deteriorated despite supportive measures and treatment with fluconazole, and owners opted for euthanasia before hypocobalaminaemia was identified. Subsequent genomic analysis revealed a CUBN:c.786delC mutation in a homozygous state, confirming hereditary cobalamin malabsorption (Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome). Similar to human infants, dogs with Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome may rarely be presented for infectious diseases, distracting focus from the underlying primary disorder.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25131805/