Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat develops bladder infection from Toxoplasma after kidney transplant
By Nordquist, Barbro C & Aronson, Lillian R·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pyogranulomatous cystitis associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in a cat after renal transplantation.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat developed kidney problems and a suspected bladder mass six weeks after a kidney transplant. An ultrasound showed a mass at the site where the new kidney was connected, and it was surgically removed. Unfortunately, the cat continued to get worse despite treatment with clindamycin, and she was euthanized nine days later. A necropsy revealed that the mass was caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite, which had infected the transplanted kidney. This case highlights the importance of screening for Toxoplasma in cats receiving kidney transplants.
People also search for: cat kidney transplant problems · Toxoplasma gondii in cats · cat azotemia treatment · signs of kidney disease in cats
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for azotemia and a suspected mass in the urinary bladder 6 weeks after receiving a renal transplant. Ultrasonography revealed a mass at the ureteroneocystostomy site, and the mass was excised. Both the donor and recipient cats were seronegative for Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG antibodies prior to transplantation. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Histologic evaluation of the mass revealed lesions indicative of extensive necrotizing pyogranulomatous cystitis with numerous intralesional T gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoite cysts. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment with clindamycin was initiated; however, the cat's clinical condition continued to decline, and it was euthanized 9 days after the mass was excised. Necropsy revealed T gondii cysts within the renal allograft and the transplanted ureter, with no evidence of systemic spread of organisms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Toxoplasmosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for azotemia in feline renal transplant recipients regardless of the results of assays for T gondii antibodies in the serum of donors or recipients. This report illustrated the need for improved screening of donor and recipient cats and the importance of minimizing exposure to potential sources of T gondii after transplantation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18380617/