Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat suspected of heart inflammation linked to toxoplasma infection
By Simpson, Kerry E et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2005·University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Suspected toxoplasma-associated myocarditis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat was diagnosed with myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, likely caused by a Toxoplasma infection. The cat showed signs of heart issues, and tests revealed elevated antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for the infection. After starting treatment for the toxoplasmosis, the cat's heart condition improved, and the inflammation resolved. This case highlights the importance of recognizing and treating Toxoplasma infections in cats to prevent serious heart problems.
People also search for: cat heart problems treatment · Toxoplasma infection in cats · cat myocarditis symptoms
Abstract
Clinical toxoplasmosis is commonly reported in the cat, with the most consistent findings being ocular, pulmonic, hepatic, neurological, gastrointestinal and muscular abnormalities. Myocarditis, whilst frequently identified at post-mortem examination, has not been identified ante-mortem. In immunocompromised humans, myocarditis associated with toxoplasmosis is not an uncommon complication. In such cases, lymphocytic myocardial infiltration can lead to depressed myocardial function, which can be associated with congestive heart failure, rhythm disturbances and pericardial effusions. In addition, myocardial failure has been reported in immunocompetent humans associated with active toxoplasmosis [Chandenier J, Jarry G, Nassif D, Douadi Y, Paris L, Thulliez P, Bourges-Petit E, Raccurt C (2000) Congestive heart failure and myocarditis after seroconversion for toxoplasmosis in two immunocompetent patients. European Journal of Clinical Microbiological Infectious Disease 19, 375-379]. Here we describe a cat with echocardiographic changes consistent with infiltrative or inflammatory disease, and elevated IgG and IgM titres to Toxoplasma gondii. There was resolution of these myocardial changes once the toxoplasmosis was treated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15922227/