IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Janovsky, M.; Groene, A.; Ciardo, D.; Voellm, J.; Burnens, A.; Fatzer, R.; Bacciarini, L.N.
Phaeohyphomycosis in a snow leopard due to _Cladophialophora bantiana_
2006 Journal of Comparative Pathology (134): 245-248
Phaeohyphomycosis caused by _Cladophialophora bantiana_ was diagnosed in a 5-month-old snow leopard with spastic paralysis of the hind legs and inability to defaecate or urinate. At post-mortem examination, a greenish soft mass resembling an abscess was found on one side of the epidural space at the fourth lumbar vertebral body. Histological examination revealed a purulent meningitis with myelomalacia. Dematiaceous fungal hyphae, present within the inflammatory infiltrate, were identified as _C. bantiana_ by culture and sequence analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. This neurotropic fungus rarely affects organs other than the brain in human beings and cats, and has been reported only occasionally in Europe. The case described suggests that phaeohyphomycosis due to _C. bantiana_ infection may be recognized more frequently in the future and the possible involvement of organs other than the brain should be borne in mind.
	PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here