Presumptive Nocardia spp. infection in a dog treated with cyclosporin and ketoconazole
Paul, A.E.H., Mansfield, C.S. and Thompson, M. (2010) Presumptive Nocardia spp. infection in a dog treated with cyclosporin and ketoconazole. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 58 (5). pp. 265-268.
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Abstract
CASE HISTORY: A dog that had received 8 months of cyclosporin and ketoconazole therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis subsequently developed severe neurological disease, that failed to respond to treatment with trimethoprim-sulphadiazine and clindamycin.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Histopathological examination of the pulmonary parenchyma and spinal cord revealed loose aggregates of Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, fine, beaded, filamentous bacteria, most consistent with Nocardia spp.
DIAGNOSIS: A presumptive diagnosis was made of disseminated nocardiosis of the spinal cord and lungs.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nocardia spp. is an opportunistic actinomycete that may cause disseminated disease, particularly in immunocompromised animals. Cyclosporin is used in veterinary medicine to control immune-mediated and allergic disorders, with few reported adverse side effects. This case gives further evidence that involvement of the spinal cord in nocardiosis of the central nervous system (CNS) carries a poor prognosis, and opportunistic infection by Nocardia spp. may be a potential complication of immunosuppressive cyclosporin therapy in the dog.
Item Type: | Journal Article |
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Murdoch Affiliation: | School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences |
Publisher: | New Zealand Veterinary Association |
URI: | http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/3125 |
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