Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with brain mass and seizures caused by Toxoplasma infection
By Pfohl, Jessica C & Dewey, Curtis W·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2005·Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intracranial Toxoplasma gondii granuloma in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old cat started having generalized seizures and was found to have a mass in the brain. After surgery to remove the mass, tests revealed it was a Toxoplasma gondii granuloma, which is linked to an active infection. The cat was treated with phenobarbital to manage the seizures and clindamycin for about a month to address the infection. Unfortunately, the seizures returned eight months later, and the owner decided to euthanize the cat. This case highlights the importance of considering Toxoplasma infection when a cat has a brain mass and seizures.
People also search for: cat seizures treatment · Toxoplasma gondii in cats · cat brain mass surgery · clindamycin for cat infection
Abstract
An 8-year-old cat with recent-onset generalized seizures was diagnosed with a right forebrain mass using magnetic resonance imaging. The mass was excised and upon histologic and immunohistochemical examination shown to be a Toxoplasma gondii granuloma. Serology supported active T gondii infection. The cat was treated with phenobarbital to control seizures. After definitive diagnosis of toxoplasma granuloma, clindamycin was administered for approximately 1 month. Seizures recurred 8 months after initial presentation, and the cat was euthanased at the owner's request. This is a previously unreported manifestation of feline central nervous system toxoplasmosis. When a mass lesion is present in the brain of a cat and serologic test results support active infection with T gondii, toxoplasma granuloma must be a differential diagnosis. If the patient is suffering from clinical disease, surgical resection of the mass (if possible) can be complimented with medical treatment until definitive diagnosis is obtained. Immunocompromising factors should be identified and addressed if possible.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15914056/