Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Upper respiratory infections linked to Corynebacterium ulcerans
By Abbott, Y et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2020·School of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans associated with upper respiratory infections in cats and dogs.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Four cats with nasal discharge were diagnosed with an infection caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium ulcerans, which can also affect dogs. One dog with chronic nasal discharge had both C. ulcerans and a resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. All pets showed similar symptoms and recovered after receiving antibiotics. This case highlights the importance of being aware that both dogs and cats can carry this bacteria, which can pose a risk to humans as well.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe infection in companion animals with the zoonotic pathogen Corynebacterium ulcerans and to determine its prevalence in clinically-affected and healthy animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical presentation and treatment of three cases of C. ulcerans infection is described. Two studies to determine C. ulcerans prevalence rates were undertaken: (a) a prospective study of nasal samples from healthy animals, 479 dogs and 72 cats; (b) a retrospective analysis of records of nasal samples collected over a 10-year period from 189 dogs and 64 cats affected by respiratory signs. RESULTS: Toxigenic C. ulcerans was isolated from four cats with nasal discharge while concurrent C. ulcerans and mecC methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection was detected in a dog suffering from chronic nasal discharge. Clinical features were not distinctive and all cases recovered following antimicrobial treatment. Multilocus sequence typing supported a common source for isolates from the shelter cats. Carriage rates of C. ulcerans in healthy animals were 0.42% (2/479) in dogs and 0.00% (0/72) in cats whereas in animals with signs of upper respiratory tract infection prevalence rates were 0.53% (1/189) in dogs and 6.25% (4/64) in cats. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians should be aware that dogs and cats can be infected with (or carriers of) toxigenic C. ulcerans Considering the potential zoonotic risk, assistance from medical and public health colleagues should be sought in confirmed cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32734615/