Fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in a rock hyrax (Procavia capensis)

Abstract

The present report describes a case of fatal toxoplasmosis in a two-year-old female rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). Major histopathological findings consisted of multifocal acute necrotising hepatitis, enteritis and adrenalitis, glial nodule formation in the brain, and suppurative splenitis with numerous intralesional protozoan tachyzoites and tissue cysts. Infection with Toxoplasma gondii was confirmed via immunohistochemical examination in the liver, adrenal gland, spleen, intestine, brain and the lung. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first case report of a systemic toxoplasmosis in a rock hyrax and in the family of Procaviidae.