Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Salmonella infection causing brain and bladder issues in a dog
By Andruzzi, Melissa N et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2020·Department of Neurology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae as an opportunistic pathogen in a case of meningoencephalomyelitis and bacteriuria in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog undergoing treatment for a condition called steroid-responsive meningitis and arteritis (SRMA) developed serious infections caused by a type of Salmonella bacteria. The dog showed signs of meningoencephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) and had bacteria in its urine. After a four-month treatment with amoxicillin, the dog's condition improved, as confirmed by negative urine tests and the absence of symptoms related to the brain inflammation. This case highlights the risks of infections in dogs with weakened immune systems.
People also search for: dog meningitis treatment · Salmonella infection in dogs · amoxicillin for dog infections
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We report the first case of canine Salmonella meningoencephalomyelitis and second case of canine Salmonella bacteriuria, as well as the first reported case of Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae in a dog. CASE PRESENTATION: Immunosuppressive treatment in a dog for a relapse of steroid-responsive meningitis and arteritis (SRMA) allowed for the opportunistic establishment of a bacteremia with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae, ultimately causing meningoencephalomyelitis and subclinical bacteriuria. The bacterial infections were treated with a four-month course of amoxicillin; clinical treatment success was determined by serial negative urine cultures and lack of clinical signs correlated to the meningoencephalomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: Both the bacteriuria and meningoencephalomyelitis represented opportunistic infections in a dog immunosuppressed for SRMA. The clinical course of this infectious meningoencephalitis emphasizes the importance of differentiating relapse of initial disease from opportunistic infection occurring in a compromised central nervous system. The novel Salmonella species identified in this case acts as a reminder that infectious disease diagnostics should not be curbed by anecdotal prediction of routine pathogenic suspects.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33176763/