Dog and cat with spinal cord issues from fungal infection

Abstract

Cladophialophora bantiana is a neurotropic phaeohyphomycotic fungal organism. The most common neural manifestation of C. bantiana infection is brain abscessation or systemic phaeohyphomycosis. This is the first report of spinal cord dysfunction as the presenting clinical manifestation of this disease in dogs and cats. This report describes two cases of myelopathy caused by C. bantiana infection in a dog and a cat. Case 1, a 10-month-old male entire Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) was presented for acute onset tetraparesis and cervical pain. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a focal, rim contrast-enhancing intramedullary lesion in the cervical spinal cord. The dog was treated empirically with antibiotics and corticosteroids but clinically deteriorated and was humanely euthanased. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of tissue samples of the lesion collected via post-mortem examination identified C. bantiana. Case 2, a 4-year-old male neutered domestic short hair cat, was presented with non-ambulatory paraparesis. The cat was humanely euthanased, and post-mortem examination revealed severe osteomyelitis of the 12th thoracic vertebral lamina, causing spinal cord compression and degeneration. Lesions were also found in the kidneys, spleen and lungs. Fungal hyphae were identified in the urine, and panfungal PCR and sequencing of the fungus cultured from tissue samples identified C. bantiana. These cases demonstrate two manifestations by which C. bantiana infection may cause spinal cord dysfunction: pyogranulomatous myelitis or vertebral osteomyelitis causing spinal cord compression and degeneration. The route of infection is unknown in both cases; however, it is considered most likely via inhalation of fungal spores or inoculation of wounds.