Toxoplasma gondii‐like organisms in skin aspirates from a cat with disseminated protozoal infection

Authors:
  • ASAmy Shokek
    Amy Shokek
  • JDJ. P. Dubey
    J. P. Dubey
  • HDHeather Leigh DeHeer
    Heather Leigh DeHeer
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Abstract
An 8‐year‐old, male domestic shorthair cat was referred to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with a 3‐day history of lethargy, inappetance, hyperemic skin nodules, coughing, and vomiting. Laboratory results included nonregenerative anemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, and increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Cytology of the skin nodules revealed many spindle‐ to crescent‐shaped protozoal organisms, with morphology consistent withToxoplasma gondiiorNeospora caninum. Gross necropsy, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and transmission electron microscopic findings confirmed a systemic protozoal infection; however, the organism exhibited characteristics of bothN caninumandT gondii. Diagnosis of aT gondii–like infection was based on internal structures of the organism and positive reaction to rabbit polyclonal antibodies toT gondii. Reports of toxoplasmic dermatitis are rare in the cat and dog, and this is the first reported diagnosis ofT gondii–like protozoa in skin aspirates.

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