Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Management of bilateral uveitis in a Toxoplasma gondii-seropositive cat with histopathologic evidence of fungal panuveitis.
- Journal:
- Veterinary ophthalmology
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Pearce, J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old neutered male Domestic Short-haired cat was brought to the vet after having eye problems for five months, including inflammation in the front part of one eye and a cataract. The vet found that the cat had a detached retina in the affected eye and signs of inflammation in both eyes. Tests showed that the cat had been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite, and despite treatment with antibiotics and other medications, the cat became blind. The right eye was removed, and further testing revealed a fungal infection. After starting a different medication, the cat regained its vision after three months, and the eye condition improved significantly over the next six months. The treatment was stopped after seven months, and the cat has remained healthy and able to see for six months since then.
Abstract
A 5-year-old, neutered male Domestic Short-haired cat was referred with a 5-month history of anterior uveitis and cataract in the right eye. Clinical examination confirmed anterior uveitis and immature cataract in the right eye and chorioretinitis in the left eye. Ocular ultrasound showed a retinal detachment in the right eye. Diagnostic testing revealed elevated serum titers for Toxoplasma gondii. Anterior uveitis in the right eye and chorioretinitis in the left eye progressed, resulting in blindness despite a 21-day course of clindamycin and aggressive topical medical management of uveitis. The right eye was enucleated and histopathologic evaluation of the globe revealed panuveitis and multiple organisms morphologically consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum. Systemic treatment with itraconazole was initiated. Vision returned after 3 months of treatment and complete resolution of the retinal hemorrhages with formation of a flat chorioretinal scar was noted after 6 months of therapy. Itraconazole was discontinued 7 months after starting therapy, at which time the funduscopic appearance of the chorioretinal scar had remained static for 1 month. The cat has remained visual without evidence of disease progression for 6 months following discontinuation of itraconazole.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17565553/