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.

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.

Publication Type:	Journal Article
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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