Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eye infection from sporotrichosis in three cats in Brazil
By Spinelli, Taciana P et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2021·Departamento de Medicina Veteriná·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Primary conjunctival sporotrichosis in three cats from Northeastern Brazil.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three mixed breed cats were brought in for persistent eye problems, specifically conjunctivitis that didn't improve with standard treatments. They showed symptoms like watery eyes, pus discharge, and redness, along with a mass on the eyelid. Tests revealed a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, which is rare in cats. The cats were treated with oral itraconazole, and two also received a topical version. While two cats fully recovered after four months, one cat did not respond to the treatment and required additional medication.
People also search for: cat eye problems · conjunctivitis treatment for cats · cat fungal infection treatment · why is my cat's eye watering · Sporothrix schenckii in cats
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Classically, sporotrichosis occurs as a chronic granulomatous lymphocutaneous infection. The extracutaneous form is uncommon and may affect the eye without cutaneous involvement. The most frequent form of ocular sporotrichosis reported in humans is a granulomatous conjunctivitis. There are no previous reports on primary ocular sporotrichosis in cats. PROCEDURES: Three mixed breed cats rescued from shelters were referred by the veterinarian for ophthalmic evaluation with a complaint of conjunctivitis nonresponsive to treatment with no evidence of skin disease or systemic disease. Complete ophthalmic examination, conjunctival cytology, and microbiological analysis were performed. RESULTS: Ophthalmic examinations revealed epiphora, purulent ocular discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and a mass in the palpebral conjunctiva. Conjunctival cytology revealed segmented and degenerated neutrophils, conjunctival epithelial cells, and an abundant number of round and oval cells compatible with Sporothrix spp. Microbiological culture was performed and confirmed the presence of fungi from the Sporothrix schenckii complex. All animals were treated with oral itraconazole; two animals received topical itraconazole in association with oral treatment. Case 1 was refractory to treatment, and iodate potassium was combined with itraconazole therapy without resolution at the time of this publication. Cases 2 and 3 had complete resolution of conjunctival lesions with four months of oral and topical itraconazole therapy. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival sporotrichosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of conjunctivitis in cats from endemic regions. Conjunctival cytology is an important tool that can aid early diagnosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33608958/