Abstract
BackgroundPythiosis is a potentially fatal but non-contagious disease affecting humans and animals living in tropical and subtropical climates, but is also reasonably widespread in temperate climates, throughout the world. The most commonly reported affected animal species with pythiosis are equine and canine, with fewer cases in bovine and feline. Extracutaneous infections caused by Pythium insidiosum have been rarely described in the cat.Case presentationSublingual pythiosis was diagnosed in a 2-year-old, male, Domestic Shorthair cat. The cat had a multilobulated, sublingual mass present for 3 months. Histopathological examination revealed severe multifocal coalescing eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation. Centers of the inflammation contained hyphae that were 3–7 μm-wide, non-parallel, uncommonly septate and rarely branching. The fungal-like organism was identified as P. insidiosum by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent amplicon sequencing.ConclusionsOnly a few feline pythiosis cases have been reported and, when encountered, it usually causes granulomatous diseases of the skin or gastrointestinal tract. This case presents an unusual manifestation of feline pythiosis, representing the first involving the oral cavity in cats or dogs.
Highlights
Pythiosis is a potentially fatal but non-contagious disease affecting humans and animals living in tropical and subtropical climates, but is reasonably widespread in temperate climates, throughout the world
Only a few feline pythiosis cases have been reported and, when encountered, it usually causes granulomatous diseases of the skin or gastrointestinal tract. This case presents an unusual manifestation of feline pythiosis, representing the first involving the oral cavity in cats or dogs
The identification of the fungal-like organism as P. insidiosum was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplicon sequencing using DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue [12]
Summary
A few feline pythiosis cases have been reported and, when encountered, it caused diseases of the skin or gastrointestinal tract of Felidae. This case presents an unusual manifestation of feline pythiosis, representing the first involving the oral cavity. Pythiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic infections and mass of the oral cavity in felines. Increasing awareness for this disease may lead to reduction of patient morbidity by early detection and intervention. Author details 1 Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, 810 E Campus Loop, Columbia, MO, USA.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
