Intracranial Toxoplasma gondii granuloma in a cat

Abstract

An 8-year-old cat with recent-onset generalized seizures was diagnosed with a right forebrain mass using magnetic resonance imaging. The mass was excised and upon histologic and immunohistochemical examination shown to be a Toxoplasma gondii granuloma. Serology supported active T gondii infection. The cat was treated with phenobarbital to control seizures. After definitive diagnosis of toxoplasma granuloma, clindamycin was administered for approximately 1 month. Seizures recurred 8 months after initial presentation, and the cat was euthanased at the owner's request. This is a previously unreported manifestation of feline central nervous system toxoplasmosis. When a mass lesion is present in the brain of a cat and serologic test results support active infection with T gondii, toxoplasma granuloma must be a differential diagnosis. If the patient is suffering from clinical disease, surgical resection of the mass (if possible) can be complimented with medical treatment until definitive diagnosis is obtained. Immunocompromising factors should be identified and addressed if possible.

Clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and long‐term survival in large breed dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology

“…Of the five remaining dogs, all but one (Siberian husky) had multifocal or diffuse forebrain lesions without cerebellar involvement, and showed no signs of perilesional oedema on FLAIR images as described by Parzefall and others (2014). MRI features of T. gondii encephalitis have not yet been described for dogs, but it is known to cause focal granuloma formation both in the forebrain (Pfohl and others 2005, Falzone and others 2008) and the spinal cord (Alves and others 2011) of cats. The four dogs with multifocal or diffuse brain lesions all had an increased TNCC with a mononuclear pleocytosis but without signs of presence of lymphoblastic cells.…”

Fatal disseminated toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent cat

“…Various publications describe different clinical manifestations of feline toxoplasmosis (Anfray et al 2005;Lappin et al 1992;McConnell et al 2007;Nordquist & Aronson 2008;Pfohl & Dewey 2005;Simpson, Devine & Gunn-Moore 2005;Tobias 1990). The first case of cutaneous toxoplasmosis was reported in a female Japanese cat (Park et al 2007).…”

Parasite meningomyelitis in cats in Uruguay

“…Furthermore, there have been reports of lesions caused by migrating insect larvae such as Cuterebra in cats, which histopathological examination revealed superficial laminar cerebrocortical necrosis, larval paths and astrogliosis (GLASS et al, 1998). In cats protozoans such as Toxoplasma gondii are the causative agent of encephalitis (PFOHL; DEWEY, 2005;DUBEY et al, 1996) and Sarcocystis neurona of encephalitis and myelitis (DUBEY et al, 2003).…”