We describe correlative clinicopathological/virological findings from a simian varicella virus (SVV)-seronegative monkey that developed disseminated varicella 105 days after gamma-irradiation. Twelve other monkeys in the colony were also irradiated, none of which developed varicella. Before irradiation, sera from the monkey that developed disseminated infection and one asymptomatic monkey were available. Analysis indicated that subclinical reactivation of latent SVV from an asymptomatic irradiated monkey likely led to disseminated varicella in the seronegative irradiated monkey. These findings parallel those from humans with disseminated varicella infection and support the usefulness of SVV infection as a model for human varicellazoster virus infection, particularly virus reactivation after gamma-irradiation.
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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.