Nasal and retrobulbar mass in a cat caused by Pythium insidiosum.
Nasal and retrobulbar infection caused by the Oomycete Pythium insidiosum is described in a cat. The diagnosis was established on three criteria. The staining of broad, sparsely septate hyphal elements in biopsy tissue using a fluorescein-labelled antiglobulin specific for P. insidiosum, detection of antibodies to P. insidiosum by an immunodiffusion test, and isolation of the aetiological agent in pure culture from the biopsy tissue. Treatment with ketoconazole for 6 weeks resulted in clinical improvement, but proptosis of the left eye slowly appeared after the discontinuation of treatment. This case represents a new host for P. insidiosum, namely, a domestic, shorthaired cat, from North Carolina, U.S.A.
Bissonnette
K W
KW
Department of Companion Animal, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
Sharp
N J
NJ
Dykstra
M H
MH
Robertson
I R
IR
Davis
B
B
Padhye
A A
AA
Kaufman
L
L
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011775:Pythium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole