A CASE OF CUTANEOUS NEOSPOROSIS DURING TREATMENT OF PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS IN A DOG

Authors: ORDEIX, LAURA - UNIV. AUTON DE BARC.; FONDEVILA, DOLORS - UNIV. AUTON DE BARC.; Dubey, Jitender; FERRER, LLUIS - UNIV. AUTON DE BARC; FONDATI, ALESSANDRA - UNIV. AUTON DE BARC

Submitted to: Journal of American Animal Hospital Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Neospora caninum is a single-celled parasite of livestock and companion animals. It causes paralysis in companion animals and abortion in livestock. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and University of Barcelona, Spain report a severe case of skin neosporosis in a dog. The results will be of interests to parasitologists, pathologists, and clinicians.

Technical Abstract: A 4-year-old, intact male Rottweiler was presented with a 10-day history of papulonodular dermatitis. At the time of presentation, the dog was receiving prednisone and azathioprine to treat pemphigus foliaceus. Cutaneous neosporosis was diagnosed by immunohistochemistry on skin biopsy specimens and high serum antibody titer to Neospora caninum by Neospora agglutination test. Electron microscopy examination of skin specimens further supported the diagnosis. Clindamycin therapy, together with withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy, resulted in prolonged clinical remission. This report documents cutaneous neosporosis in an adult dog and suggests that immunosuppressive therapy might be a predisposing factor.