Clinical aspects of natural infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis in cats: 8 cases (1991-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and clinical outcome in cats with blastomycosis.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
8 cats with naturally occurring blastomycosis.


METHODS
Medical records of the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital were searched for cases of blastomycosis in cats diagnosed via cytologic or histopathologic findings. Clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and clinical outcome were determined. Radiographs were reviewed for the 8 cases.


RESULTS
All cats were systemically ill. Respiratory tract signs and dermal lesions were most commonly observed. All cats had radiographic evidence of respiratory tract disease. Seven of the 8 cats had ill-defined soft-tissue opacities (nodules or masses) or alveolar consolidation of the lungs. Antemortem diagnosis was achieved cytologically in 6 of the 8 cats, and 3 were successfully treated and survived.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to previous reports, diagnosis was achieved antemortem in most of the cats (all by cytologic identification of the organism). Clinical signs, laboratory findings, and outcome were similar to previous descriptions of this rare disease in cats.
Gilor
Chen
C
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Graves
Thomas K
TK
Barger
Anne M
AM
O'Dell-Anderson
Kristen
K
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001758:Blastomyces / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole; D015725:Fluconazole