Mycobacterium haemophilum infection in canine cerebrospinal fluid

Abstract

with a history of lethargy, generalized pain, and vomiting. Initial medical intervention by the primary care veterinarian included corticosteroids, cephalexin (500 mg per os [PO] q 12 hours), and terbinafine (560 mg PO q 24 hours). The dog was current on vaccinations. At 9 months of age, the dog was diagnosed with a foreign body lodged ventral to the right mandible. Wood and debris were surgically removed but a second surgery after 5 days was required to manage an abscess. Microbial culture yielded Fusobacterium spp. with antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillin. Additional treatment included pain management and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 20 mg/kg PO q 12 hours for 2 weeks.

Mycobacteriumhaemophilum Related Myelitis in Geographically Linked Cases

“…Veterinary cases of myelitis from M . haemophilum in bison, dogs, zebrafish, and other animals, describe similar presentations and suggest the same diagnostic challenges as well as regional specificity to our described cases 3,5,6 . Identifying geographic specificity and a common infection source, such as aquatic biofilms would be meaningful as M .…”

“…4 Veterinary cases of myelitis from M. haemophilum in bison, dogs, zebrafish, and other animals, describe similar presentations and suggest the same diagnostic challenges as well as regional specificity to our described cases. 3,5,6 Identifying geographic specificity and a common infection source, such as aquatic biofilms would be meaningful as M. haemophilum can lead to significant disability if unrecognized and untreated. 5 Although initially felt to be immunocompetent, some level of immune compromise is suspected.…”

“…3,5,6 Identifying geographic specificity and a common infection source, such as aquatic biofilms would be meaningful as M. haemophilum can lead to significant disability if unrecognized and untreated. 5 Although initially felt to be immunocompetent, some level of immune compromise is suspected. Case 1 was diagnosed with Stage 0 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Cell Lymphoma (CLL/SCL) detected after investigation of a persistent lymphocytosis.…”

“…Identifying geographic specificity and a common infection source, such as aquatic biofilms would be meaningful as M . haemophilum can lead to significant disability if unrecognized and untreated 5 …”