Sara Legnani1, Nikola Pantchev2, Annalisa Forlani3, Eric Zini4,5,6, Gereon Schares7, Jörg Balzer2, Paola Roccabianca3, Filippo Ferri4, Giordana Zanna1. 1. Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Via G. Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy. 2. IDEXX Laboratories, Moerikestrasse 28/3, 71636, Ludwigsburg, Germany. 3. Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy. 4. Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060, Granozzo con Monticello, NO, Italy. 5. Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland. 6. Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy. 7. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neosporosis is a multisystemic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum. In dogs the disease primarily affects the central nervous system. Canine cutaneous neosporosis is a rare condition often associated with old age or concurrent immunosuppressive treatments for different underlying conditions. ANIMALS: A 10-year-old female spayed golden retriever dog affected by primary immune-mediated myelofibrosis and treated with immunosuppressive therapies for 6 weeks that developed severe cutaneous lesions. METHODS: Definitive diagnosis was based on several investigation techniques including serology (immunoblotting), immunohistochemistry (IHC), species-specific conventional and real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Remission of cutaneous neosporosis was obtained with the administration of clindamycin while the concurrent immunosuppressive therapy was maintained to manage the underlying primary condition. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing used as diagnostic methods for canine cutaneous neosporosis emerging in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
BACKGROUND: Neosporosis is a multisystemic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum. In dogs the disease primarily affects the central nervous system. Caninecutaneous neosporosis is a rare condition often associated with old age or concurrent immunosuppressive treatments for different underlying conditions. ANIMALS: A 10-year-old female spayed golden retriever dog affected by primary immune-mediated myelofibrosis and treated with immunosuppressive therapies for 6 weeks that developed severe cutaneous lesions. METHODS: Definitive diagnosis was based on several investigation techniques including serology (immunoblotting), immunohistochemistry (IHC), species-specific conventional and real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Remission of cutaneous neosporosis was obtained with the administration of clindamycin while the concurrent immunosuppressive therapy was maintained to manage the underlying primary condition. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing used as diagnostic methods for caninecutaneous neosporosis emerging in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy.