title: Streptococcus pneumoniae-associated cellulitis in a two-month-old Domestic Shorthair kitten.
abstract: An approximately 2-month-old, reproductively intact female Domestic Shorthair kitten was presented to the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory with a history of possible trauma to the left shoulder region while playing with children, and was found dead the following day. Marked swelling, with subcutaneous edema and hemorrhages, was observed in the left forelimb. Severe pleocellular, but largely suppurative cellulitis, fasciitis, and interstitial myositis with edema were observed microscopically in sections from the affected limb. Massive numbers of gram-positive diplococci also were observed. Other pathologic changes included moderate interstitial pneumonia, mild cholangitis, lymph node hemorrhage, gastrointestinal nematodiasis, mild enteritis, and mild interstitial nephritis. Bacteriologic culture identified Streptococcus pneumoniae as the causative agent, which was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the pneumolysin gene from chromosomal DNA of the isolate.
authors.affiliation: MS Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Jackson 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Shuping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Floyd
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Lanny
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D013301:Streptolysins; C032290:plY protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae