title: Emergence of cutaneous neosporosis in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy: molecular identification and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neosporosis is a multisystemic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum. In dogs the disease primarily affects the central nervous system. Canine cutaneous neosporosis is a rare condition often associated with old age or concurrent immunosuppressive treatments for different underlying conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 10-year-old female spayed golden retriever dog affected by primary immune-mediated myelofibrosis and treated with immunosuppressive therapies for 6 weeks that developed severe cutaneous lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Definitive diagnosis was based on several investigation techniques including serology (immunoblotting), immunohistochemistry (IHC), species-specific conventional and real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Remission of cutaneous neosporosis was obtained with the administration of clindamycin while the concurrent immunosuppressive therapy was maintained to manage the underlying primary condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing used as diagnostic methods for canine cutaneous neosporosis emerging in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Via G. Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Legnani
authors.affiliation: IDEXX Laboratories, Moerikestrasse 28/3, 71636, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pantchev
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forlani
authors.affiliation: Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060, Granozzo con Monticello, NO, Italy.|Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.|Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zini
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: Gereon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schares
authors.affiliation: IDEXX Laboratories, Moerikestrasse 28/3, 71636, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roccabianca
authors.affiliation: Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060, Granozzo con Monticello, NO, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Via G. Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018688:Neospora; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents