Cutaneous manifestations of disseminated toxoplasmosis in an immunosuppressed dog.
A 3.5-year-old, castrated male, giant schnauzer was presented with alopecic pustular dermatitis. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia had been diagnosed 45 days previously. At the time of presentation, the dog was receiving prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine. Cutaneous protozoosis was diagnosed, and postmortem examination revealed protozoa within cutaneous, cardiac, pancreatic, and pulmonary tissues. The protozoa divided by endodyogeny, had the morphology of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) tachyzoites, and stained positively with T. gondii polyclonal antibodies but not with antibodies to Neospora caninum or Sarcocystis neurona. Immunosuppression may have predisposed this dog to disseminated toxoplasmosis.
Webb
Jinelle A
JA
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Keller
Sonya L
SL
Southorn
Erin P
EP
Armstrong
Julie
J
Allen
Dana G
DG
Peregrine
Andrew S
AS
Dubey
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents