Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Severe bloodstream infection after kidney transplant in a cat
By Phillips, Heidi et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2015·From the University of Illinois, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Septicemia and Infection due to ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae Following Feline Renal Allograft Transplantation.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old male domestic longhair cat had a kidney transplant due to chronic kidney disease. A year later, he developed a serious infection from a type of bacteria called Klebsiella pneumoniae, which was found in his bloodstream and caused septic peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity). Despite aggressive treatment, including surgery and strong antibiotics, the cat unfortunately did not survive due to ongoing low blood pressure and cardiac arrest. This case highlights the risks associated with antibiotic-resistant infections in pets, especially those with prior health issues or surgeries.
People also search for: cat kidney transplant complications · cat septic peritonitis treatment · Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in cats
Abstract
A 12 yr old castrated male domestic longhair underwent renal transplantation for treatment of chronic interstitial nephritis. Full-thickness intestinal biopsies obtained prior to transplantation revealed mild enteritis. Twelve months following transplantation, the patient underwent surgery for resection of a mesenteric mass causing septic peritonitis. The mesenteric mass was resected and an intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was cultured from the resected tissue and urinary tract. Bacterial rods were noted to be circulating in the bloodstream, causing septicemia. Despite aggressive treatment of the septic peritonitis and septicemia using surgical debridement, drain placement, aggressive antibiotic therapy with IV meropenem, and vasopressor support, the patient succumbed to persistent hypotension and suffered cardiopulmonary arrest. Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing bacteria are of growing concern in human and veterinary medicine, maintaining susceptibility often only to carbapenem and aminoglycoside antibiotics. Resistance to even those antibiotics is emerging. Veterinary patients with a history of antibiotic therapy, central venous or urinary catheterization, immunosuppression, enteric surgery, and an extended stay in the intensive care unit may be predisposed.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25695559/