Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Coccidioides infection in dog spinal fluid for brain
By Butkiewicz, Christine D et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2021·University of Arizona·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The utility of Coccidioides antigen and antibody detection in cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of canine central nervous system coccidioidomycosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 51 dogs with central nervous system (CNS) issues were tested for a fungal infection called coccidioidomycosis, which can affect the brain and spinal cord. Out of these dogs, 22 were diagnosed with the infection or other neurological diseases. The tests for Coccidioides antigens (substances produced by the fungus) in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed low sensitivity, meaning they missed many cases, but were very specific, correctly identifying those with the infection. Antibody tests in the CSF were more effective but still not perfect. These findings suggest that while the tests can help, diagnosing this infection in dogs remains challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions.
People also search for: dog brain infection symptoms · coccidioidomycosis in dogs · dog neurological disease diagnosis · dog CSF test results · canine fungal infection treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for the detection of Coccidioides antigen and antibody in CSF in the diagnosis of CNS coccidioidomycosis in dogs. ANIMALS: 51 dogs evaluated for CNS disease in a single specialty center in Tucson in 2016. PROCEDURES: Excess CSF after routine analysis was banked after collection from dogs presented to the neurology service. Samples were tested by EIA for presence of Coccidioides antigen and antibody. Clinical data were collected from medical records retrospectively. RESULTS: 22 dogs were diagnosed with CNS coccidioidomycosis (CCM) or another neurologic disease (non-CCM). These groups of dogs overlapped in the presenting complaints, MRI results, and routine CSF analysis results. Four dogs, all with CCM, had positive antigen EIA results. With clinical diagnosis used as the reference standard, CSF antigen testing had low sensitivity (20%) but high specificity (100%) for diagnosis of CCM. Ten dogs with CCM and 4 dogs with other diagnoses had antibody detected in CSF by EIA. Sensitivity of CSF antibody testing was 46%, specificity was 86%, and positive and negative predictive values for the study population were 71% and 68%, respectively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diagnosis of CNS coccidioidomycosis in dogs in an endemic region was hampered by overlap of clinical signs with other neurologic disorders and the low sensitivity of confirmatory diagnostics. The evaluated Coccidioides-specific EIAs performed on CSF can aid in the diagnosis. A prospective study is warranted to corroborate and refine these preliminary findings.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34773701/