Case report: Disseminated Cladophialophora bantiana phaeohyphomycosis in a dog with hepatic dysfunction, and concurrent ehrlichiosis.

A 1-year-old mixed breed dog initially presented with marked ascites due to a low-protein transudate resulting from portal hypertension. Laboratory evaluation revealed non-regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, evidence of hepatic insufficiency [hypoalbuminemia, decreased urea, increased post-prandial bile acids, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)] and Ehrlichia canis infection. Approximately a week later, the dog was declining and was euthanized. On autopsy, multifocal hepatic granulomas and acquired portosystemic shunts (APSS) were seen. Imprint cytology revealed fungal hyphae and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the liver and brain. Disseminated Cladophialophora bantiana phaeohyphomycosis was diagnosed by histologic examination, culture and PCR. Immunosuppression due to ehrlichiosis is suspected to have predisposed this animal to fungal infection. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of C. bantiana in the West Indies.

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In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Asthma in an Adult Female Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus).

A 9-y-old, colony-bred, female vervet monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) presented with a 6-y history of open-mouth breathing, tachypnea, and sibilant wheezing. These symptoms did not significantly affect her activity or quality of life. Thoracic radiographs and results of bronchoalveolar lavage supported the diagnosis of asthma. Treatment comprising intramuscular prednisolone (tapered over 2 mo from twice daily to every other day), inhaled salmeterol-fluticasone (25 µg-250 µg per actuation twice daily) by mask, and a metered dose inhaler was successful in restoring a normal respiratory pattern. Despite the availability of several primate models of human asthma, this case represents the first report of spontaneous asthma in a NHP.

Praziquantel treatment for Platynosomum species infection of a domestic cat on St Kitts, West Indies.

CASE SUMMARY: A 1-year-old, female spayed, domestic shorthair, indoor cat on the island of St Kitts was diagnosed with platynosomiasis, infection with a feline-specific liver fluke, and treated with praziquantel at the marketed dose for tapeworms (5 mg/kg; actual calculated dose 5.75 mg/kg). Serial fecal analyses showed that egg counts decreased to zero within 10 days of treatment but re-emerged at day 17 and persisted at low levels until a second treatment was administered on day 78. After the second treatment, all fecal samples (n = 15) from day 85 to day 350 post-initial treatment were negative for Platynosomum ova. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Treatment of platynosomiasis is poorly documented; no drugs are labeled for use against Platynosomum and the efficacy of suggested treatments is unknown. Using 5.75 mg/kg once, a dose that is significantly lower than published recommended doses for platynosomiasis, egg counts initially disappeared but re-emerged and persisted at low levels until a second treatment was administered. We hypothesize that immature forms may not have been killed and subsequently matured to produce eggs, or that the one-time dose may not have been completely effective at eliminating all adult flukes. However, administering praziquantel at 5.75 mg/kg twice, several weeks apart, appeared to be effective in treating this cat with platynosomiasis, as evidenced by monitoring of fecal egg counts over the course of 350 days.