Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with fungal infection in liver and kidneys caused by Exophiala
By Helms, S R & McLeod, C G·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2000·Unifour Veterinary Referrals, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Systemic Exophiala jeanselmei infection in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 14-year-old spayed domestic shorthair cat was brought in because her kidneys looked abnormal on an ultrasound. The vet found fungal infections in her kidneys and liver, and the next day, the cat showed severe neurological symptoms and was unable to move. Sadly, she was euthanized, and a necropsy revealed widespread fungal masses throughout her body, including her brain and spinal cord. The fungus identified was Exophiala jeanselmei, which is not commonly reported in cats. Unfortunately, this case highlights a serious and rare fungal infection that can affect cats.
People also search for: cat kidney infection symptoms · cat neurological problems · fungal infection in cats · Exophiala jeanselmei cat treatment
Abstract
A 14-year-old spayed domestic shorthair cat was referred for ultrasonographic evaluation of abnormally shaped kidneys. Multifocal lesions were detected ultrasonographically in the liver and kidneys; a fine-needle aspirate of the kidneys was performed, and numerous clumps of fungal hyphae were identified. The following day, the cat was recumbent with advanced neurologic signs. The cat was euthanatized, and a necropsy was performed. Multifocal granuloma-like masses were seen on the liver, kidneys, abdominal wall, mesentery, thoracic wall, pericardium, and epicardium. Similar lesions were found on the cervical portion of the spinal cord, the cerebrum, and cerebellum. Exophiala jeanselmei, an organism of the phaeohyphomycotic group, was identified on fungal culture. To our knowledge, systemic infections caused by this organism have not been reported. However, phaeohyphomycotic infections are believed to be an emerging disease in humans.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11132892/