Cerebral Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in a cat.
METHODS
An 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of signs of depression, circling, and visual deficits.


RESULTS
The cat had no cutaneous lesions, and results of an ophthalmologic examination and thoracic radiography were within reference limits. Computed tomography of the brain revealed a mass lesion involving the right parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes; the mass was in broad-based contact with the skull and smoothly marginated and had strong homogenous enhancement after contrast agent administration. During craniectomy, samples of the mass were collected for cytologic and histopathologic evaluations and microbial culture. A diagnosis of Blastomyces dermatitidis-associated meningoencephalitis with secondary pyogranulomatous inflammation was made.


RESULTS
Amphotericin B (0.25 mg/kg [0.11 mg/lb], IV) was administered on alternate days (cumulative dose, 1.75 mg/kg [0.8 mg/lb]). To minimize the risk of nephrotoxicosis, assessments of serum biochemical variables (urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations) and urinalyses were performed at intervals. The third dose of amphotericin B was postponed 48 hours because the cat became azotemic. The cat subsequently received fluconazole (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) for 5.5 months. Six months after discontinuation of that treatment, the cat appeared healthy and had no signs of relapse.


CONCLUSIONS
Brain infection with B dermatitidis is typically associated with widespread disseminated disease. The cat of this report had no evidence of systemic disease. Blastomycosis of the CNS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for brain lesions in cats from areas in which B dermatitidis is endemic.
Smith
Jo R
JR
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Legendre
Alfred M
AM
Thomas
William B
WB
LeBlanc
Casey J
CJ
Lamkin
Cathy
C
Avenell
James S
JS
Wall
Jonathan S
JS
Hecht
Silke
S
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B