Medycyna Wet. 66 (11), 784-786, 2010
| Czopowicz M., Szaluś-Jordanow O., Frymus T. |
| ECerebral toxoplasmosis in a cat |
| A five year-old semi-stray intact tom cat with acute multifocal neurological signs, including seizures, opisthotonus and horizontal nystagmus was presented to the veterinary clinic. The onset of severe neurological signs was sudden but preceded by a mild left-hand head tilt, which had been observed for the previous two weeks. Results of in-house tests for both FeLV antigen and FIV antibody were negative although the owner claimed that the cat had been diagnosed as seropositive to FIV infection in the first year of life. Despite antibacterial and symptomatic treatment the state of the cat tended to deteriorate and eventually euthanasia was performed. The examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed the presence of T. gondii DNA. No bacteria, fungi or feline coronavirus RNA were detected in the microbiological and molecular examination of CSF. Thus, cerebral toxoplasmosis was recognized. |
| Keywords: toxoplasmosis, seizures, cerebrospinal fluid, central nervous system |