Antemortem diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in two cats on cyclosporin therapy

Aust Vet J. 2006 Jan-Feb;84(1-2):30-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.tb13119.x.

Abstract

Clinical toxoplasmosis was diagnosed antemortem in two cats being treated with therapeutic doses of cyclosporin. The diagnosis was made by detecting tachyzoites on cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from one case and pleural effusion from the other. Despite early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in both cases, only one cat survived. Reactivation of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection secondary to cyclosporin-induced immunosuppression was considered likely in both cases. The presence of respiratory signs in cats treated with cyclosporin should alert clinicians to the possibility of clinical toxoplasmosis. Consideration should be given to determining the serostatus of cats to T gondii prior to use of drugs which are potent inhibitors of cell mediated immunity, such as cyclosporin. Two cases of feline toxoplasmosis are presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / parasitology
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cat Diseases / etiology
  • Cats
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects*
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / drug therapy
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine